National Biodiversity Authority

National Biodiversity AuthorityNational Biodiversity AuthorityAnnual Report 2008-2009

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NBA Annual Report 2008-2009

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ANNUAL REPORT2 0 0 8 – 2 0 0 9

National Biodiversity Authority TICEL Bio Park 5th Floor, Taramani Road, Taramani, Chennai – 600 113

Published by

National Biodiversity AuthorityTICEL Bio Park5th Floor, Taramani,Chennai – 600 113.Tel : 91-44-2254 1075/2254 2777Fax : 91-44-2254 1200email : [email protected]

Printed at

Nagaraj & Co.,156, Developed Industrial Estate,Perungudi, Chenna-96Ph.: 044-66149291

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Dr. P. L. GautamChairman,National Biodiversity AuthorityChennai

Foreword

India is known for its rich heritage of biodiversity which is an outcome of over 3.5 billionyears of evolutionary development, shaped by natural processes and ever more by humaninfluence. It sustains the web of life as we fully depend upon it to meet for our food, healthcareand other needs. Conserving biodiversity is basic to our survival and well-being and using itsustainably forms an inherent part of the Indian culture and lifestyle. However, biodiversityis being increasingly threatened globally on account of various factors. Human activities arealso placing severe pressure on biological resources, leading to fragmentation and degradationof habitats, and resultant loss of biodiversity. These losses are irreversible and are a threat toour own well-being.

India has a long history of conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. Formallaws, policies and programmes for conservation and sustainable utilization of bio-resourcesdate back to several decades. Over the years, India has developed a stable organizationalstructure and a strong legal and policy framework for protection of biodiversity in the country.

Taking cognizance of the International Convention on Biodiversity (CBD), and to addressthe excessive pressure on biodiversity, the Govt. of India has enacted Biological DiversityAct, 2002 and Biological Rules, 2004. Accordingly, national, state and local level mechanismshave been provided for implementation of the Act.

I express my appreciation for the sincere and dedicated efforts and guidance provided bythe Hon’ble Members of the Authority for the execution of the various functions, activitiesand programmes of the NBA. Also, I congratulate the staff of the NBA for their efforts tobring this report in the present form.

I hope that the publication will provide a glimpse of the activities carried out during the year2008-09. I welcome the comments for further improvement of the report.

P.L.Gautam

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C. Achalender Reddy, I.F.S.,Secretary,National Biodiversity AuthorityChennai

Acknowledgement

On behalf of National Biodiversity Authority, I would like to thank the Ministryof Environment and Forests for their support and guidance in finalizing this AnnualReport. I am grateful to the Members of the Authority for their inputs to this AnnualReport.

I am highly thankful to State Biodiversity Boards for their valuable contributionto the Annual Report.

I express my gratitude to the Office of Principal Director of Audit (ScientificAudit) for furnishing the Audit certificate in time. Iam also thankful toDr.K.Venkataraman, who was the Secretary, NBA during the period under report forhis useful contribution to the report.

I also express my deep appreciation of the hard work put forth by the Officersand staff of National Biodiversity Authority.

I express my sincere regards and gratitude to our Chairman, Dr.P.L. Gautamfor his valuable advice and continued motivation in finalization and submission of theAnnual Report 2008-09 within the scheduled time.

C. Achalender Reddy

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Contents

1 Executive Summary………........………………………………............................... 11

2 Introduction……………………………………………………............................... 13

3 Constitution of the Authority………………………………….............................. 17

4 Meetings of the Authority……………………………………................................ 19

5 Expert Committees……………………………………………................................ 21

6 Conservation and Sustainable use of Biodiversity…………................................ 23

7 Access and Benefit Sharing…………………………………….............................. 28

8 Regulations and Notifications………………………………….............................. 31

9 Finance and Accounts of the Authority………………………............................. 33

10 Annual Plan 2009-2010…………………………………………............................ 34

11 Programmes and Activities of SBBs…………………………................................ 37

Annexures

1 Members of the Authority……………………………………....................... 53

2 Organizational Chart of NBA………………………………….................... 57

3 Staff Strength of NBA…………………………………………...................... 58

4 Important Publications of NBA……………………………......................... 60

5 Support extended for trainings/seminars/workshops etc…................... 61

6 NBA Citizen’s Charter……………………………………........................... 62

7 Audit Report............................................................................................... 63

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Taking cognizance of the InternationalConvention on Biodiversity (CBD), and

to address the excessive pressure onbiodiversity, the Government of India hasenacted Biological Diversity Act, 2002 andBiological Diversity Rules, 2004. Accordingly,the national, state and local level mechanismshave been provided for implementation of theAct. At the national level, National BiodiversityAuthority (NBA) has been established byGovernment of India in October, 2003 atChennai (Tamil Nadu) under Section (8) of theBiological Diversity Act. The State BiodiversityBoards (SBB) have been established by the StateGovernments and Biodiversity ManagementCommittees (BMC) constituted by the localbodies. This document presents the progressreport of the NBA for the year 2008 – 09.

The authority has fulltime chairman andsecretary and is functional with all ex-officio& non-official members in place. The Authorityhas been strengthened by the provision of asenior consultant. The action regarding vacantposts has been taken or is in progress. Duringthe period, three authority meetings were held.The important decisions taken at these meetingsinclude notifications on enforcement ofprovisions of biological diversity act anddesignation of national repositories;constitution of expert committees on soil,sediment and microbial diversity, normally

Executive Summary

traded commodities, evaluation of applicationsfor access and benefit sharing, conservation ofmedicinal plants and threatened/endangered/endemic species, preparation of guidelines andrules for management and conservation ofBiodiversity Heritage Sites (BHS) and use ofNational Biodiversity Fund (NBF);implementation of 6th pay commission;approval of annual accounts 2007-08 andannual plan 2008-09.

The NBA participated and/orsupported 19 workshops/exhibitions/c o n f e r e n c e s / t r a i n i n g s / a w a r e n e s sprogrammes. The Government of Karnatakahas notified the Tamarind site at Nallur inDevanahalli Taluk, Bangalore district as firstBHS in the country. The states of Tamil Naduand Tripura notified the constitution of SBBs.So far, 1450 BMCs have been constituted indifferent states and 350 PBRs have beenprepared by the respective SBBs /BMCs.

During this period, 104 applicationswere received for access of bioresources forresearch / commercial use, transfer of researchresults, intellectual property rights, third partytransfer and collaborative research. Out ofthese, 71 applications were approved and 35agreements have been signed. Consequent onestablishment of SBBs in 21 states and BMCs infew districts, the NBA has initiated the

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consultation process with SBBs and BMCs forfacilitating the decision making on accessapplications. During this period, four applicantshave sought hearing with NBA. Two applicantshave been given hearing and remainingapplicants have requested further dates, whichwere considered.

NBA has initiated action for establishmentof a legal cell, to take necessary steps to opposethe grant of intellectual property rights, in anycountry outside India on any biological resourceobtained from India or knowledge associated withsuch biological resource which is derived fromIndia. The NBA participated and supported threeseminars/consultations relating to protection oftraditional knowledge and IPR on bioresources.Five publications have been brought out by NBAduring 2008-09.

The Annual Accounts of 2008-09 andAnnual Plan of 2009-10 were also elaboratedin the report. National Biodiversity Fund (NBF)has been constituted as per the Act and anamount of over Rs.21.50 lakhs has been creditedin the NBF account.

The SBBs have organised workshops/exhibitions/conferences/trainings/ awarenessprogrammes, celebration of biodiversity day etc.The NBA has released Rs.94 lakhs to SBBs asfinancial grant for constituting the BMCs andstrengthening of infrastructure in newly createdSBBs. The SBBs in collaboration with otheragencies have been pursuing/supporting theidentification of BHS, preparation of PBRs,constitution of BMCs, in-situ and ex-situconservation including the protection of thethreatened species etc.

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Introduction

India is known for its rich heritage ofbiodiversity which is the outcome of over3.5 billion years of evolutionary

development, shaped by natural processes andincreasingly by human influence. It sustains theweb of life and we fully depend upon it to meetfor our food, healthcare and other needs.Conserving biodiversity is basic to our survivaland well-being and using it sustainably forms,part of the Indian culture and lifestyle.Biodiversity and ecosystem services provided byit contribute to poverty eradication and nationaldevelopment.

Biodiversity is not distributed evenlyacross the globe. Certain countries, lying mostlyin the tropics, are characterized by high speciesrichness and more number of endemic speciescalled mega diverse countries, 17 of themincluding India, formed a group called the LikeMinded Mega diverse Countries (LMMCs).During this period, India coordinated thedevelopment of common position of LMMCs,especially for negotiations of an internationalregime on access and benefit sharing.

Biodiversity encompasses the variety ofall life on the earth. It manifests itself at threelevels: species diversity which refers to thenumbers and kinds of living organisms; geneticdiversity which refers to genetic variation withinspecies; and ecosystem diversity which denotesthe variety of habitats, biological communitiesand ecological processes. Notwithstanding thefact that current knowledge of the number of

species inhabiting the earth is still incomplete,estimates vary from 8 to 14 million species. Todate, about 1.7 million species have beendescribed while many more await discovery.India, a mega diversity country with only 2.4%of the land area and 4% of water, accounts for7-8% of the recorded species of the world. Sofar, 45,968 species of plants and 91,364 speciesof animals have been documented. At the globallevel, 2, 78, 900 species of micro organisms havebeen described so far, out of the estimated 3.75million extant (living) species. In India, 5,650microbial species have been described. A widevariety in physical features and climaticsituations has resulted in a diversity of habitatsand ecosystems such as forests, grasslands,mountains, wetlands, coastal, marine(mangroves and coral reefs) and deserts. Indiais also one of the eight primary centres of originof cultivated plants and is an acknowledgedcentre of crop diversity, including about 375closely related wild species including rice,pulses, millets, vegetables, fruits and fibre plants.In addition, nearly 255 breeds includingregional/internal transboundary domesticatedanimals (such as cattle, sheep, goat, camel,horse and poultry) are also found in India.

India has participated in all majorinternational events on environment issues, sincethe Stockholm Conference on HumanEnvironment and Development in 1972. Thecountry has contributed to and ratified severalkey multilateral agreements on environmentissues, including the Convention on Biological

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Diversity (CBD). Pursuant to the CBD,following a widespread consultative process, aNational Policy and Macro level Action Strategyon Biodiversity was developed in 1999, toconsolidate and augment the existing strategiesand programmes relating to biodiversity. Indiahas enacted the Biological Diversity Act, 2002,which was developed through an extensive andintensive consultation process initiated in 1994.India is one of the few countries to have enactedsuch a legislation. This Act primarily aims atgiving effect to the provisions of the Conventionon Biological Diversity (CBD), includingregulating access to biological resources andassociated traditional knowledge so as to ensureequitable sharing of benefits arising out of theiruse.

Increasing concerns about thedwindling biological resources has led to theConvention on Biological Diversity in 1992. Thisinternational convention, for the first time,recognized sovereign rights of the nations overtheir biological resources and emphasized thataccess to genetic resources should be given onlyfor environmentally sound purposes subject tonational legislations. India is one of the megabiodiversity countries and is also one of thesignatories to the CBD. Taking cognizance ofthe provisions of the CBD, and to deal withextensive pressure on the biological resources,the Government of India has enacted BiologicalDiversity Act, 2002 and Biological DiversityRules, 2004. Accordingly, national, state andlocal level mechanisms have been provided forimplementation of the Act. At the national level,National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has beenestablished by Government of India in October,2003 at Chennai (Tamil Nadu) under Section 8of the Act. The State Biodiversity Boards (SBB)are established by the State Governments whilethe Biodiversity Management Committees(BMC) are constituted by the Local Bodies.

The functions of NBA are as follows:-

Advise the Government of India onmatters relating to conservation ofbiodiversity, sustainable use of itscomponents and equitable sharing ofbenefits arising out of utilization ofbiological resources.

Regulate activities and issue guidelinesfor access to biological resources and forfair and equitable benefit sharing inaccordance with the sections 3, 4 and 6of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.Certain individuals/ nationals/organizations require prior approval ofNBA for obtaining biological resourcesand/or associated knowledge for use.

Take necessary measures to oppose thegrant of intellectual property rights inany country outside India on anybiological resource obtained from Indiaor knowledge associated with suchbiological resource derived from India.

Advise the State Governments in theselection of areas of biodiversityimportance to be notified as heritage sitesand suggest measures for theirmanagement.

NBA and SBB provide guidance andtechnical support to BiodiversityManagement Committees (BMC) forpreparing People’s Biodiversity Registers(PBR).

Perform such other functions as may benecessary to carry out the provisions ofthis Act.

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Research on Marine organisms

Transfer of Research Results

Access to Bioresources

Seeking Patent Third Party Transfer Collaborative Research Project

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The SBBs are established by the StateGovernments by official gazette notification inaccordance with Section 22 of the Act. For theseven union territories, NBA or authorised bodyexercises the powers and functions of SBB.

The SBBs are established by the StateGovernments with a Chairperson, five ex-officiomembers representing the concerneddepartments and five members appointed fromexperts in matters relating to conservation ofbiological diversity, sustainable use of biologicalresources and equitable sharing of benefitsarising out of the use of biological resources. Thefunctions of SBB are as follows:

Advise the State Governments, subjectto guidelines issued by the CentralGovernment, on matters relating toconservation of biodiversity, sustainableuse of its components and equitablesharing of benefits arising out ofutilization of biological resources.

Regulate by granting approvals orotherwise request for commercialutilization or bio-survey and bio-utilization of any biological resource byIndians;

Perform such other functions asnecessary to carry out the provisions ofthis Act or as prescribed by the StateGovernments.

Local bodies constitute the BMC in accordancewith Section 41, within their area of jurisdictionfor the purpose of promoting conservation,sustainable use and documentation of biologicaldiversity including preservation of habitats,conservation of land races, folk varieties andcultivars, domesticated stocks and breeds ofanimals, micro-organisms and chronicling ofknowledge relating to biological diversity. BMCis constituted in accordance with BiologicalDiversity Rule (22.1) of the Act. It consists of achairperson and six persons nominated by thelocal body, of whom one third are women and18% are scheduled castes/scheduled tribes. Thefunctions of BMCs are as follows:

Prepare, maintain and validate People’sBiodiversity Register (PBR) inconsultation with the local people. TheBMC is to maintain a Register giving

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information about the details of accessto biological resources and traditionalknowledge granted, details of thecollection fee imposed and details of thebenefits derived and the mode of theirsharing.

Advise on any matter referred to it bythe State Biodiversity Board or Authorityfor granting approval, to maintain dataabout the local vaids and practitionersusing the biological resources.

National, State and Local level biodiversityfunds, for channeling benefits to benefitclaimers, conservation and promotion ofbiological resources or knowledge associatedand socio economic development of these areas,are respectively established under Sections 27,32 and 43 of the Act.

The important roles of central and stategovernments are as follows:

Establish National BiodiversityAuthority, State Biodiversity Board andBiodiversity Management Committee.

Develop national strategies, plans,programmes for the conservation andpromotion and sustainable use ofbiological diversity.

Issue directives to the concerned StateGovernments to take immediateameliorative measures for protection ofbiodiversity rich habitats, threatened byoveruse, abuse or neglect.

Integration of the conservation,promotion and sustainable use ofbiological diversity into relevant sectoralor cross sectoral plans, programmes andpolicies. Endeavour to respect andprotect the knowledge of local peoplerelating to biological diversity, asrecommended by the NBA.

Assess the impact of projects onenvironment and biodiversity, andregulate, manage or control the risks oradverse impact of use and release ofliving modified organisms onconservation; and sustainable use ofbiological diversity and human health.

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The Central Government may, inconsultation with NBA: a) notifythreatened species and prohibit orregulate their collection, rehabilitationand conservation, b) designateinstitutions as repositories for differentcategories of biological resources and c)exempt certain biological resourcesnormally traded as commodities.

State Governments in consultation withthe local bodies, notify biodiversity

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heritage sites, frame rules formanagement and conservation of all theheritage sites (in consultation withCentral Government) and launchschemes for compensation/rehabilitation of affected people.

The progress of the implementation of theBiological Diversity Act, 2002 by the NationalBiodiversity Authority for the year 2008-2009is described in subsequent chapters.

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Constitution of the Authority3The NBA is headed by a Chairperson, who is an eminent person, having the knowledge

and experience in sustainable management of biodiversity and equivalent in rank to the Secretaryto Government of India. It consists of ten ex-officio members from related Ministries of Governmentof India, and five non-official members who are experts in different aspects of biodiversitymanagement.

The Constitution of the Authority as provided in the Biological Diversity Act 2002 since inceptionof NBA is as under:

S.no.

Chairperson

Name PeriodFrom To

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Mr. Viswanath Anand, I.A.S.,*

Dr. S. Kannaiyan

Mr. P.R. Mohanty, I.F.S.,*

Dr. P.L. Gautam

01.10.2003 14.07.2004

20.05.2005 19.05.2008

20.05.2008 30.09.2008

01.10.2008 31.12.2008

31.12.2008 Till date

* Additional charge

Members

Ex-officio members appointed under section 8 (4)(b):

1. Joint Secretary or an officer of an equivalent rank to the Government of India in the Ministryof Tribal Affairs.

2. Additional Director General (Forests), Ministry of Environment and Forests, Govt. of India.

3. Joint Secretary to the Government of India dealing with the subject in the Ministry ofEnvironment and Forests.

Mr.G.K. Prasad, I.F.S.,*

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Ex-officio members appointed under section 8 (4) I:

1. Joint Secretary or an officer of an equivalent rank to the Government of India dealing withthe subject in the Agricultural Research and Education, Ministry of Agriculture

2. Joint Secretary or an officer of an equivalent rank to the Government of India dealing withthe subject in the Department of Biotechnology

3. Joint Secretary or an officer of an equivalent rank to the Government of India dealing withthe subject in the Department of Ocean Development

4. Joint Secretary or an officer of an equivalent rank to the Government of India dealing withthe subject in the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation

5. Joint Secretary or an officer of an equivalent rank to the Government of India dealing withthe subject in the Department of Indian Systems of Medicine and Homoeopathy

6. Joint Secretary or an officer of an equivalent rank to the Government of India dealing withthe subject in the Department of Science and Technology

7. Joint Secretary or an officer of an equivalent rank to the Government of India dealing withthe subject in the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.

Non-official Members (appointed u/s 8(4) (d)):

The term for office of the non-official members of the NBA is for a period of three years witheffect from the notification. The members have been notified vide gazette notification S.O. 497(E)New Delhi dated 15 April, 2004 and subsequent notification S.O. 262 (E) New Delhi dated 22February, 2007. These positions were vacant from 1.10.2003 to 14.4.2004 and from 1.10.2006 to21.2.2007. The past and present non-official members are as follows:

S.no. NamePeriod

From To

1 Prof. L. Kannan,* Director, Research,Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu.

15.04.2004 30.09.2006

2 Dr. P. Pushpangadan,* Director, NationalBotanical Research Institute, Lucknow.

15.04.2004 30.09.2006

3 Prof. Raghavendra Gadagkar, Centre forEcological Science, Indian Institute of Science,Bangalore

15.04.200422.02.2007

30.09.200621.02.2010

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Prof. Anil Gupta, Indian Institute ofManagement (IIM), Vastrapur, Ahmedabad

15.04.200422.02.2007

30.09.200621.02.2010

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Dr. A. K. Ghosh, Director, Centre forEnvironment and Development, Kolkatta.

15.04.200422.02.2007

30.09.200621.02.2010

6 Dr. S. Subramaniyan, 54, VGP-Golden seaview, 5th cross street, Palavakkam, Chennai.

22.02.2007 21.02.2010

7 Prof. K. Kathiresan, CAS in Marine Biology,Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu

22.02.2007 21.02.2010

* Term expiredSecretary

* Additional charge

1 Dr. K. Venkataraman* 24.07.2003 11.03.20092 Mr. C. Achalender Reddy, IFS., 12.03.2009 Till date

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Meetings of the Authority4During 2008-09, three meetings of the

authority were held and the importantdecisions taken are given below.

11th Authority Meeting

The eleventh meeting of the Authoritywas conducted on 6th of May 2008 in New Delhi.Approvals were accorded for (i) filling up ofthe post of secretary, technical officer (IPR) andstenographer on deputation/absorption basis;(ii) addition of two more members in the expertcommittee on determination of benefit sharing;(iii) draft minutes of the expert committee onnormally traded commodities and (iv) expertcommittee on soil, sediment and microbialdiversity. The expert committees on (i)traditional and tribal knowledge, (ii) soil,sediment and microbial diversity, (iii) medicinalplants, (iv) intellectual property rights and (v)biodiversity heritage sites were given extensionfor another 90 days in view of the work andtask involved.

The outcome of the following meetingsorganized by NBA was discussed for furtherdecision making:

Expert Committee meeting onPreparation of guidelines onEstablishment of Heritage Sites held on05-04-08 at Centenary Rose Park,Horticultural Research Station, TNAU,Ooty.

Seventh Expert Committee meeting toevaluate the Access, Patent, Transfer ofResearch Results and Material TransferApplications organized by NationalBiodiversity Authority held on 08.04.08at Conference Hall of NationalBiodiversity Authority, Chennai.

First meeting of the Expert Committeeon Soil sediments and microbial diver-sity is organized by NationalBiodiversity Authority on 24.04.2008 atHotel Shelter, Chennai.

Third Review and Interactive meetingof the State Biodiversity Boards on 28-29th April, 2008.

12th Authority Meeting

The Twelfth meeting of the NationalBiodiversity Authority was conducted

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07.08.2008 at New Delhi. The approval wasaccorded for the recommendations of expertcommittee on (i) evaluation of applications onAccess to bio-resources, Transfer of researchresults, IPR and third party transfer, (ii) expertcommittee on Determination of benefit sharingon Access for commercial use, transfer ofresearch results, IPR and third party transferapplications and (iii) expert committee on soil,sediment and microbial diversity.

The outcome of the following meetingsorganized by NBA was discussed for furtherdecision making:

Eighth Expert Committee Meeting onAccess, Transfer of Research Results,seeking patent and Material Transfer on16.07.2008 organized by NationalBiodiversity Authority at ConferenceHall, National Biodiversity Authority,Chennai.

Second meeting of the Expert Committeeon Soil sediments and microbialdiversity organized by NationalBiodiversity Authority on 21-07-08.

13th Authority Meetingı¸The thirteenth meeting of the Authority wasconducted on 28.01.09 at MoEF, New Delhi.Approvals were accorded to therecommendations of the expert committee for(i) framing the Rules for declaring threatened

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areas, (ii) delegation of powers to the secretary(iii) constitution of an expert committee forframing the guidelines for application ofNational Biodiversity Fund, (iv) Chairman NBAwas authorised to include any other memberdepending upon the expertise needed for thedifferent EC meetings and authorized theChairman NBA to constitute committee toprepare rules for management andconservation of Biodiversity Heritage Sites. Inaddition, the following items were discussed anddecisions taken:

The proposal of Dr. Kathiresan forconducting “Capacity building on People’sBiodiversity Register in the Marine andCoastal regions of India” was agreed inprinciple.

Indian Biodiversity Information System (IBIS)Data base.

Approval of Implementation of Sixth Paycommission to officers and staff of NBA,revision of allowances or fees to members ofcommittees and Expert Consultants

Constitution of EC for directives to StateGovernment for threatened areas, habitatsand biological resources (Section 36 (2) of theBiological Diversity Act, 2002).

Approval for inclusion of a representativefrom the Department of Animal Husbandry,Dairying and Fisheries as a Member in theExpert Committee to evaluate the access,patent, transfer of research results andmaterial transfer applications.

Approval of Termination of agreements byNovozymes for Access to Bioresources.

Approvals for taxonomic research:Considering the importance of identificationof new taxa/species by our scientists, theproposal of IMTECH/CSIR was approved.It was also decided that the concernedscientist/organization/ Institution shouldclearly indicate in the MOU that, in case thematerial deposited in the designatedrepositories is accessed for commercialpurposes, the same will be subject to benefitsharing arrangements as per the BiologicalDiversity Act.

Approval of Revised Annual Accounts 2007-08 and Annual Plan for the year 2009-2010

Amendment in Gazette Notification onEnforcement of Biological Diversity Act.

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Expert Committees5The following committees were

constituted by the authority as per section 13of the Biological Diversity Act.

1. Expert Committee to prepare rules formanagement and conservation ofBiodiversity Heritage Sites

The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 requiresthe State Biodiversity Boards (SBB) to frameguidelines/rules to declare and manage theBiodiversity Heritage Sites. Accordingly, anexpert committee was constituted and themodel guidelines prepared by the expertcommittee in the meeting held on 19.02.09were widely circulated and uploaded in thewebsite. The comments received from differentexperts/agencies/SBBs were considered by theexpert committee at the subsequent meeting ofthe committee and the recommendations arebeing submitted for consideration by theAuthority.

2. Expert Committee on Soil, Sediment andMicrobial Diversity

The expert committee had three meetings(24.04.08, 21.07.08 and 20.08.08) under thechairmanship of Dr. D. J. Bhagyaraj. Theguidelines have been developed after intensiveconsultation process including commentsreceived upon uploading the draft in thewebsite. The model guidelines have been

recommended by the committee to be approvedby the authority. The purpose of theseguidelines is to streamline the third partytransfer of soil/sediment/water/plant, animal,microbes and their genetic resources occurringin India for research/bio-survey and bio-utilisation. If the transfer is from privateindividual(s)/company/organization in Indiato any individual(s)/ organizations/companyoutside the country, these guidelines will alsobe useful for such transfer with prior approvalof the NBA.

3. Expert Committee on Normally TradedCommodities

As per Section 40 the Biological DiversityAct, the central Government may, inconsultation with NBA, by notification in theofficial gazette, exempt certain biologicalresources as normally traded commodities(NTC). On the initiative of the Ministry ofEnvironment and Forests, the NBA initiated theprocess on the subject. Accordingly, an expertcommittee on NTC was constituted.

The committee held three meetings(04.10.06, 10.10.07 and 15.03.08). In the secondmeeting, the committee initially recommendedto notify the major bioresources as suggestedby the Indian Institute of Spices Research, SpicesBoard, Spices Trading Corporation Ltd.,Commerce Ministry. In the third meeting, the

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first list for notification as NTC wasrecommended and submitted to NBA. Theserecommendations were submitted to the MoEFby NBA. The MoEF forwarded the list of NTCto the Director, BSI for authentication of thescientific names and the final version of 1040species was received by NBA. In the mean time,a partial list of marine species was also receivedby the NBA (107- fishery items) from theDirector, Marine Product Export DevelopmentAuthority.

The Ministry of Environment forwarded thelist of NTC sent by NBA (1040 spp.) to DirectorGeneral of Foreign Trade (DGFT) for comments.The DGFT requested NBA to provide ITC-HScodes for each species listed by NBA, and thesame were communicated in respect of thespecies listed in DGFT website. Subsequently, aNational Consultation meeting was organisedby NBA on 29.01.09 at MoEF, New Delhi, inwhich the concerned line departments/ministries and agencies like Ayurvedic DrugManufacturers Association (ADMA),Directorate General of Foreign Trade,Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Healthand Traditions (FRLHT), ICAR, CSIR etc,participated. After deliberations it was decidedto notify a list of plant species (180 spp.)submitted by the FRLHT as NTC. It was agreedthat in the first instance, the Government mayconsider to notify 46 medicinal plants whichare cultivated and whose consumption isbeyond 100 mt. In addition, it was decided toinclude the list of cultivated vegetables, fruits,food crops, spices and condiments.Accordingly, NBA collected information fromdifferent sources and the first list has beenfinalised. It was also agreed, that in the eventof use of NTCs as bioresources, the provisionsof Biological Diversity Act, 2002 and Rules, 2004would apply. These recommendations will beplaced in the Authority for consideration.

4. Expert Committee for evaluation ofapplications for access, seeking patent,transfer of research results and third partytransfer of bioresources

The requests of different applicants wereplaced in the EC for deliberations andrecommendations to the Authority. This expertcommittee is an ongoing process and it isreconstituted periodically. So far, 11 meetingsof the expert committee have been conducted.

5. Expert Committee on Determination ofEquitable Benefit Sharing

The applications of different agencies wereconsidered by the expert committee and case-by-case recommendations made forconsideration by the authority. This expertcommittee is also an ongoing process and it isreconstituted periodically. So far, 6 meetingshave been conducted.

6. Expert committee on preparation ofregulation/notification for the Enforcementof Biological Diversity Act, 2002

The committee finalized the draftnotification which was adopted by theauthority in its 9th Meeting. After the vetting byMinistry of Law and Justice the same has beennotified by the Government vide S.O. 2708 (E)dt.17th November 2008.

7. Expert committee on conservation ofmedicinal plants

The preliminary discussions on theconservation of the medicinal plants were heldin the first meeting. It was decided to developa status paper by using the services of theconsultant.

8. Expert committee on threatened,endangered and endemic species

The fourth authority meeting approved theappointment of Dr. Karthik Shankar, IndianInstitute of Science, Bangalore, as ExpertConsultant for the EC on threatened,endangered and endemic species. Afterdeliberations in three meetings, the expertcommittee finalized the recommendation forconsideration by the authority. In the 9th

Authority meeting, the recommendations of theEC were approved. The NBA communicatedthese recommendations to the ministry.Considering these recommendations thecomments of BSI and ZSI, and other experts,the State-wise list of threatened species of plantsand animals, including their distribution weresent to different states. After considering thecomments of the above agencies and the stategovernments, the Govt. of India has notified thelist of species of Plants and animals which areon the verge of extinction that prohibits orregulates the collection thereof from Kerala,Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh andUttarakhand (Notifications: S.O. 783 (E) dt. 17th

March 2009 and S.O. 997(E) dt. 15th April 2009).

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6 Conservation and Sustainable use of Biodiversity

The efforts made by the authority relating todifferent aspects of conservation andsustainable use of biodiversity during the periodof report are described below:

1.Participation and support fororganization of conferences, workshops,training etc.

• Policy Workshop on ‘Access and BenefitsSharing’ in Gangtok, Sikkim, India, April10-13, 2008.

• One week training programme on“Conservation and Management ofWetlands” for Western Region organizedby GEER Foundation, Gandhinagar, May2, 2008.

• Biodiversity and AgrobiodiversityConservation Mela, National BiodiversityAuthority, Chennai, May 19-20, 2008

• Consultative meeting conducted by CSIRin collaboration with Global BiodiversityInformation Facility (GBIF) C.S.I.R. NewDelhi July 25, 2008.

• Japan – India workshop on “Access to andBenefit Sharing of Genetic resources andTrends in Microbial Biotechnology”

conducted by Japan Bio-industryAssociation Tokoyo, Japan August 27,2008.

• Second Coordination Meeting of the SouthAsia Coral Reef Task Force (SACRTF)Maldives, 31 August, 2008.

• International Conference on “ClimateChange, Biodiversity and Food Security inthe South Asian Region” organized byPunjab State Council for Science andTechnology, Chandigarh, November 3,2008.

• Marine and Coastal Protected AreaManagers Exchange Programmeorganized by GEER Foundation andSouth Asia Coral Reef Task Force andSACEP, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, November5-7, 2008.

• International Conference on “RecentTrends in Sensor – Development for theAssessment and management of theEnvironment” at Loyola College,Chennai, January 8, 2009.

• National symposium of society forconservation of domestic animal breeds,NBAGR, Karnal February 12, 2009.

24


NBA

• Special Symposium on “Regional Issuesin Science and Technology Sector for theNorth East Region” organized during96th Indian Science Congress at NEHY,Shillong January 7, 2009.

• National Seminar on Emerging Issues inBiodiversity Management organized byBharatidasan University, Dept. ofEnvironmental management,Thiruchirapalli, January 8-9, 2009.

• Meeting of the national forum for PolicyDialogues at Nehru Memorial Museum,Organised by environmental actiongroup Kalpavriksh and theInternational NGO, GRAIN, New Delhi,February 3, 2009.

• Awareness generation on Biodiversityof India with special reference to CoralReefs at Vael’s International School, onthe eve of National Science Day,Chennai, February 2, 2009.

• Workshop on Implementation ofBiological Diversity Act and priorities forbiodiversity conservation, sustainableutilization and benefit sharing, IIM,Ahmedabad, February 1, 2009**.

• 4th World Congress on Agriculture,session on “Enhanced opportunities foruse of plant genetic resources inconservation agriculture initiatives’’,New Delhi. February 4 -7, 2009.

• Second Plant Genome saviorcommunity recognition and distributionof Plant Variety RegistrationCertification, PPVFR Authority, NewDelhi February 12, 2009.

• Discussion on Sustainability and HumanWell-being: Beyond the 2010 Target,organized by Division of EnvironmentalLaw and Conventions, United NationsEnvironment Programme, Nairobi,February 15, 2009.

• Workshop on “Conservation ofbiodiversity of Point Calimere in thepast, present and future with specialreference to migratory birds” anddelivered a talk on the role of NBA in

biodiversity conservation organised bythe Bombay Natural History Society atVelliman Illam, Kodikarai, February 22,2009.

• Steering Committee meeting of NationalConference on Challenges andopportunities of Bio-industrialWatershed Development for theprosperity of the Farming Community(BIOWD- 2009) under theChairmanship of ISRO, Bangaluru,March 2, 2009.

• National Consultation on registration,evaluation, valuation and in-situconservation of Aquatic GeneticResources held at NBFGR, Lucknow,March 20-21, 2009.

• National Workshop on Seri biodiversityConservation organized by CentralSericultural Germplasm ResourceCentre, Central Silk Board atAuditorium, CSGRC, Hosur, March 8,2009**.

• Borlaug Global Rust Initiative 2009Workshop on developing strategies fordurable rust resistance in wheat, CiudadObregon, Mexico, March 17-20, 2009.

• Preparatory inter-ministerialconsultation for ABS Working Group –7 meeting, MoEF, New Delhi March 23,2009.

2. Expert Committees Constituted by theAuthority for preparation of:

• Rules for management and conservationof Biodiversity Heritage Sites.

• Guidelines for access of Soil, Sedimentand Microbial Diversity.

• Regulation/notification for theEnforcement of Biological Diversity Act,2002.

• Guidelines for conservation of medicinalplants.

• Guidelines for conservation ofthreatened, endangered and endemicspecies.

• Guidelines for national designatedrepositories.

25NBA


3. Awareness generation

a) Interaction meetings with the StateBiodiversity Boards of Gujarat, Goa andKarnataka were held for generatingawareness for capacity building regardingimplementation of the different provisionsof Biological Diversity Act.

b) National Workshop on Bio-piracy &Intellectual Property Rights, CapacityBuilding initiative for Biodiversity, AndhraPradesh Biodiversity Board Hyderabad,2009.

c) Summit for students to empower them totake action to create individual plans forprotecting the biodiversity, Trust forEnvironment, Conservation & CommunityDevelopment (TREE), Chennai, 2009.

d) National Biodiversity Authority celebrated“International Day for Biological Diversity”on the theme ‘Biodiversity and Agriculture”at Marina beach on 19th May 2008 andplayed host to an awareness campaign

focused on this sizzling topic, “BiodiversityConservation Mela” in view of climatechange and National Biodiversity Day,22.05.08. The campaign held near Kannagistatue opposite to Presidency College, wasorganized by the National BiodiversityAuthority in collaboration with IndianCoast Guard, Loyola College, PresidencyCollege and Queen Mary’s college. Visitorsto the beach have witnessed camels and ahuman chain carrying colourful bannersand placards with messages as NBA’svision, bioresources and human welfare,sustainable biodiversity, climate change andhuman health etc. Furthermore, a posterexhibition contest was held on the sametheme at Presidency college and awarenessmela. It was inaugurated by the Hon’bleMinister of State Environment and ForestsThiru S. Regupathy on 19th May. TheMadras Christian College had set up theirexhibits on the theme ‘Bay watch’. Severalfacts on marine biodiversity were explainedwith preserved specimens, sponges ofvarying types, exhibits of hard corals etc.Attractive posters on marine biodiversitywere also put up by the students. Andvarious other colleges highlighted differentbiodiversity issues through their exhibits.State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) have alsoobserved the International BiologicalDiversity Day to create awareness onBiodiversity and its importance to thepublic, researchers, students and teachers.The Himachal Pradesh SBB conducted quizcompetition on the topic ‘Biodiversity’ to +2students. The West Bengal SBB createdawareness programmes for school studentsby conducting painting competitions,elocution etc.

26


NBA

Hotspot

Agro-biodiversity Hotspots

1 Travancore /Malabar area

2 Konkan coast

3

4 Leeward Deccan Plateau

5 North Gujarat / Mewar

6 Arid Jodhpur-Bikaner belt

7 NW Temperate Himalaya and Ladakh

8 Sikkim Hills and Arunachal Himalaya

9 Hills of Meghalaya

10 Nagaland/Manipur/Tripura/Mizoram

11 Brahmaputra part of Assam

12 Lower Ganges system

13 Gangetic Delta (Marshes and Sunderbans)

14 Triveni Allahabad belt

15 Koraput region - Bastar and adjoining area

16 Cauvery system

17 Andaman islands & Lakshadweep

Kathiawar

4. Biodiversity Heritage Site notified byState Government of Karnataka

The Tamarind Biodiversity Heritage Siteat Nallur in Devanahalli Taluk, Bangaloredistrict, popularly believed to be a relic of theChola Dynasty that ruled nearly 800 years ago,is spectacle of awesomewonder and a freakishsite. Spread over 54acres comprising apopulation of nearly300 trees, is a picture ofdynamic pattern ofplant diversity. The significant component ofthis popular structure is a group of old plantsstanding like ageless sentinels, firmly rooted to

the ground with their gigantic trunks, alongwith large picturesque crowns spread very highand aloft like open wings.

5. Identification of Agro-Biodiversity Hot-Spots in collaboration with PPV & FRAuthority, New Delhi

Based upon the recommendations of workinggroup and task force, the Protection of Plant Varietiesand Farmers Right Authority and NationalBiodiversity Authority jointly organized workshopsat Shillong and at the Annamalai University,Chidambaram to identify agrobiodiversity hotspots.Based on group discussions and convergence ofviews, the following seventeen agro-biodiversity hotspots existing in India were identified.

Source: www.plantauthority.gov.in

27NBA


5. Enforcement of Biological Diversity Act,2002

Two Czech foreign nationals wereinvolved in collections of insects fromSingalila National Park, West Bengal.Among them Mr. Svacha, was penalizedwith a fine of Rs. 20,000/- for hisinvolvement in the case. Out of thatRs.10,000/- was charged under theprovision of Wildlife Protection Act andthe rest Rs. 10,000/- was charged underBiological Diversity Act. It was reportedthat the said person confessed hisinvolvement in the caseand was acquitted on payment of thefine. Mr. Emil Krucera, another Czechnational involved in the case wasconvicted by the Session Judge’s Courtand was ordered for imprisonment for3 years under the provision of bothWildlife Protection & BiologicalDiversity Act. A fine of Rs.60,000/- wasalso imposed on him. Out of that apenalty of Rs.10,000/- was imposedunder Wildlife Protection Act andRs.50,000/- under Biological DiversityAct. Going by the latest report theconvicted person has somehow fled thecountry. The Forest Department hasappealed to the appellate authorityseeking permission to get internationalhelp to nab the culprit. Meanwhile, thecase is going on in the Session Judge’sCourt, Darjeeling where the ForestDepartment has appealed seeking morestringent punishment for the culprits.The next date of hearing is due on 1st

August, 2009.

6. Establishment of State BiodiversityBoards

During the year 2008-2009 two States,Tripura and Tamil Nadu have notified theconstitution of State Biodiversity Board sinceMarch 2008.

S.No. Name of the State Notification No. and Date1.2.

Tamil NaduTripura

G.O.(Ms) No.38 dt.29.04.08F.8(31)/A/For-WL/98/part-11/7309-40 dt.16.06.08

7. Establishment of Biodiversity Management Committee

So far, the following BMCs have beenconstituted in different states.

S.No. State BMCs formed

1. Andhra Pradesh 5

2. Goa 5

3. Himachal Pradesh 2

4. Karnataka 1354

5. Kerala 5

6. Madhya Pradesh All panchayats, nagar nigam,nagar palika of 48 district

7. Punjab 31

8. Preparation of People’s Biodiversity Registers

S.No. State No. of PBRsDocumented

1. Karnataka 69

2. West Bengal 13

3. Madhya Pradesh 50

4. Andhra Pradesh 5

5. Kerala 74

6. Uttarakhand 139

Total 350

28


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7 Access and Benefit Sharing

Schematic Presentation of Processing of Applications under Biological Diversity Act, 2002 and Rules 2004

Advisor Law&

Technical Officer4 7Access for

Biological Resources /Commercial Form -I

Transfer of ResearchResults Form -II

Seeking Patent Form -III

Third Party TransferForm -IV

Flora

Fauna

Microbes

OtherInformations

6Exp. Comm. for Access and Benefit sharing

5 Consultation withSBB/BMC/Local bodies

Secretary-NBA7

for Approval9Applicant sendssigned Agreement

12

Applicant

Ve

rifi

cati

on

s

NBAFinal Approval13

Websitefor public viewing

NBAfor information14 15

2 NBA

Appl. fee toNBA Fund3

1

ProvisionalApproval withModel Agreement

1011 Applicant

Chairman-NBA8

(Secretary)

N B A

1. Approval process

Access to bioresources from India is approved by the authority in accordance with section3, 4, 6 of Biological Diversity Act and 14 -19 of Biological Diversity Rules. The applications receivedfrom public/private sectors and foreign nationals for approval of access to bioresources andassociated traditional knowledge are processed as elaborated below.

29NBA


The requests are considered by theexpert committees constituted by the authorityand case-by-case recommendations made bythe above committee are deliberated in theauthority meeting for final decision. The statusof the applications received by NBA so far is asunder:

Applications received : 420

Provisional approvals granted : 311

Approved/ agreements signed : 72

Pending final approvals : 239

(Including 205 applications of CSIR)

Applications withdrawn : 36

The status for 2008-2009, the followingapplications have been approved by theauthority in its three meetings (11th to 13th

Authority). Of the 104 applications receivedfor the year under report, 71 were approved.From the approved applications, 35 wereaccorded and agreement signed. Thirty oneapplications are under process for finalapproval and two applications stand closed asgiven below.

2. Consultations with SBB and BMC

As per the act and rules of BDA thefollowing provisions exist for grant of approvalfor access.

The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 Section 19.(3) On receipt of an application under sub section(1) or sub section (2), the National BiodiversityAuthority may, after making such enquiries as itmay deem fit and if necessary after consulting anexpert committee constituted for this purpose, byorder, grant approval subject to any regulationsmade in this behalf and subject to such terms andconditions as it may deem fit, including theimposition of charges by way of royalty or forreasons to be recorded in writing, reject theapplication.

The Biological Diversity Rules 2004: Rule 14, 17,18, 19: The Authority shall after consultation withthe concerned local bodies and collecting suchadditional information from the applicant and othersources, as it may deem necessary, dispose of theapplication, as far as possible, within a period ofsix months (for Form I and IV,) and three months(for Form II and III), from the date of its receipts.On being satisfied with the merit of the application,the Authority may grant the approval for access tobiological resources and associated knowledgesubject to such term and conditions as it may deemfit to impose.

Consequent upon establishment ofNational Biodiversity Authority the processfor implementation of different provisions ofBiological Diversity Act were initiatedincluding the catalytic role in establishmentof State Biodiversity Boards and constitutionof Biodiversity Management Committees by

Details Received Approved Under Process Closed Agreement Signed

Form-I(Access for Research/Commercial)

Form-II(Transfer of ResearchResults)

Form-III(Seeking Patent)

Form-IV(Third Party Transfer)

CollaborativeResearch

Total

18

48

8

25

104

8

5

29

6

21

71

9

-

18

2

4

31

1

-

1

-

-

2

4

4

21

6

-

35

Status of Applications 2008-09

5

30


NBA

the States. These efforts have led toestablishment of SBBs in 21 states and BMCsin some districts of 8 states. As the process ofestablishment of SBBs and BMCs were takingtime due to official formalities such asapproval by the legislative assemblies fornotification of SBB and their rules forfunctioning and hence, simultaneously, asprovided in the act and rules the Ecs wereconstituted to formulate guidelines and modelagreements. As the applications have to bedisposed of within in stipulated time periodas specified in the Biological Diversity Rules,the ECs were constituted by the authority tocritically examine the proposals and to makecase-by-case recommendations to theAuthority. The Authority considered therecommendation of Ecs in full meeting anddecided on the matter. Granting of Approvalis followed by signing of agreement whichguarantees benefit sharing oncommercialization of product(s) derived fromaccessed bioresources. The notification by theGovernment of India for exemption forcollaborative research by governmentresearch institutions, national designatedrepositories, enforcement of biodiversity actwere taken up on priority. The notificationssuch as transfer of research results, normallytraded commodities, biological diversityheritage sites, access and benefit sharing,seeking Intellectual Property Rights onbioresources etc are at different level offinalisation

The NBA has now initiated theconsultation process with the progress in theestablishment of SBBs in most of the states andBMCs in some districts, for facilitatingdecision making by the Authority.

3. Personal hearing

During the period, four applicantp a r t i e s s o u g h t h e a r i n g f o r t h e i rconcerns as per the Sec t ion 19 o f theBiological Diversity Act and Rule: 14,17 , 18 , and 19. The part ies viz . SerumI n s t i t u t e o f I n d i a , P u n e a n dI n t e r n a t i o n a l F l a v o r s a n d F r a g r a n c e sIndia Ltd. (IFF) were heard on April 27th,2009. The hearing for the other partiesviz. Hindustan Unilever Ltd., and Ms. R.K. Dewan and Co. could not be held dueto their absence.

4. Measures taken in respect of intellectualproperty rights

As per Section 18.4 of the BiologicalDiversity Act, 2002 the NBA has initiated actionfor establishment of a Legal Cell, to takenecessary steps to oppose the grant ofintellectual property rights in any countryoutside India on any biological resourceobtained from India or knowledge associatedwith such biological resource which is derivedfrom India. The NBA participated andsupported the following events relating toprotection of Traditional Knowledge and IPRon bioresources.

i) Conference at the National Center forBiological Sciences, Bangalore on“Indian Traditional Knowledge – issues,conservation and new directions”, 23Feb. 2009.

ii) Workshop on Local TraditionalKnowledge and Biodiversity organizedby Karnataka Biodiversity Board,Bangalore, 26 Feb. 2009.

iii) First National Consultation on IPR andTraditional Knowledge organized by theForum for Biotechnology and FoodSecurity, Bangalore, 30-31 January 2009.

31NBA


8 Regulations and Notifications

1. Members of National BiodiversityAuthority

S.O. 1147 (E) – In exercise of the powers conferredby Sub-sections (1) and (4) of Section 8 of theBiological Diversity Act 2002 (18 of 2003), theCentral Government hereby establishes a bodyto be called the National Biodiversity Author-ity, on and from the 1st Day of October, 2003for the purposes of the said Act consisting ofthe following members: Member appointed asChairperson under clause (a) of Sub-section (4)of Section 8 w.e.f. 1st October, 2003. [F.No. J-22018/46/2003-CSC (BC)] DESH DEEPAK VERMA, Jt.Secy].

2. Designation of National Repositories

S.O.1911 (E). – In exercise of the powersconferred by sub-section(1) of Section 39 of theBiological Diversity Act, 2002, read withsections 6 and 12 of Notification S.O. 1911(E),dated 8th November, 2006, the Ministry ofEnvironment and Forests, Govt. of India, herebydesignates the following institutions to act asrepositories under the Act for differentcategories of biological resources[F.No.26-15/2007-CSC] A. K. Goyal, Jt. Secy].

3. Enforcement officers authorized forImplementation of Biological Diversity Act,2002S.O. 2708 (E) – In exercise of the powerconferred by clause (a) of Section 61 of theBiological Diversity Act 2002 (18 of 2003), theCentral Government hereby authorises theofficers specified in column (2) of the Tablebelow, to file complaints with regard to offencespunishable under the said Act, within the areasof jurisdiction specified against each in thecorresponding entry in column (3) of the Tableaforesaid, subject to the condition that theCentral Government may revoke suchauthorisation or may itself exercise the powersunder the said section, if in its opinion such acourse of action is necessary in the publicinterest [F.No.28-14/2008-CS-III (NBA)]A.K.GOYAL, Jt. Secy].

4. Enforcement officers authorized forImplementation of Biological Diversity Act,2002

S.O. 120 (E) – In exercise of the powersconferred by clause (a) of Section 61 of theBiological Diversity Act, 2002 (18 of 2003),theCentral Government hereby make the followingfurther amendments in the NotificationNo.S.O.2708 (E), dated 17th November, 2008.[F.No.28-14/2008-CS-III (NBA)]A.K.GOYAL,Jt. Secy].

32


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5. Members of National BiodiversityAuthority

S.O. 262 (E) – In exercise of the powersconferred by Sub-sections (1) and (4) of Section8 of the Biological Diversity Act 2002 (18 of2003), the Central Government herebyestablishes a body called the NationalBiodiversity Authority, on and from the 1st Dayof October, 2003 for the purposes of the saidAct. [F.No.J-22018/46/2003-CSC(BC)] G.Balachandran, Jt. Secy]

6. Appointment of Chairman, NationalBiodiversity Authority

No 12, Part I, Sec 2 Gazette of India Weekly,New Delhi, March 21-27, 2009 page 291- ThePresident is pleased to appoint Dr. P. L. Gautam,to the post of Chairman, National BiodiversityAuthority, Chennai in the pay scale ofRs.26,000/-(fixed, pre-revised) with effect fromthe afternoon of 31st December 2008 and upto31st December 2011 or until further orders,whichever is earlier. [F.No.J-22018/12/2003-CS-III) Sujata Arora, Addl. Director].

7. The following States have notified theSBB rules

S.No. State Date Notification

1. Karnataka 03.05.06 FEE 151 ENV 20052. Madhya Pradesh 17.12.04 F-1-2-2002-L VII3. Manipur 05.03.09 4284. Sikkim 14.09.06 504/F5. West Bengal 27.01.06 No. EN/136/T-II-7/005/046. Tripura 16.06.08 F.8(31)A/for-WL/98/

Part-II/6919-73087. Maharashtra 10.12.08 No.WLP.1004/

C.R.226/F-1

8. Constitution of State Biodiversity Board

S.No. State Notification

1. Tamil Nadu G.O. (Ms) No.38 dt.29.04.08

2. Tripura F.8(31)/A/For-Wl/98/part-II/7309-40 dt.16.06.2008 G

ulf o

f Man

nar I

sland

33NBA


Receipts and Payments for the period ending 31st March, 2009

ReceiptsCurrent Year

2008-09

I. Opening Balances

(a) Cash in hand(b) Bank Balances (i) Current A/c (ii) In deposit A/c (iii) Savings A/c

3,000

27,84,306

II. Grants Received

a) From Govt.of India

b) From State Govt.

c) From other Sources

2,86,09,000

-----

19,875

III. Income and Investments from

a) Earmarked / Endow. Funds

b) Own Funds (Other Investment)

-----

IV. Interest Received

a) On Bank deposits

b) Loans, Advances etc.

V. Other income

FeesRoyalty

4,40,896

VI.Amount Borrowed

VII. Any otherreceipts

Sale of newspaper

Recovery for books

Transfer from NBAAuthority A/c to NBAFund A/c

Encashment fo FixedDeposit

-----

Total

Payments Current Year2008-09

I. Expensesa) Establishment Expenses

b) Administrative Expenses

38,36,868

97,65,734

II. Payment madeagainst funds forvarious projects

41,76,325

III. Investments anddeposits madea) Out of Earmarked /

Endowment fundsb) Out of Own Funds (Deposit to BSNL)

7500

IV. Expenditure onFixed Assets &Capital Work-in-Progressa) Purchase of Fixed Assetsb) Advance paid for

purchase of cara) Expend. on Capital

Work-in progress

6,45,794

-----

V. Refund of surplusmoney / Loans

a) To the Govt.of Indiab) To the State Govt.c) To other providers of funds

VI. Finance Charges(Interest)

-----

VII. Other Payments(Grants to StateBiodiversity Boards) 94,00,000

VIII. Closing Balancesa) Cash in handb) Bank Balances (i) Current A/c

(ii) In deposit A/c (iii) Savings A/c

Total

3,000

50,88,22918,25,000

3,52,18,258 3,52,18,258

Previous Year2007-08

3,000

6,31,038

Previous Year2007-08

2,12,61,000

-----

-----

-----

2,05,252

2,26,16,384

26,80,320

62,64,169

36,71,996

9,61,593

-----

-----

-----

55,00,000

3,000

27,84,306

2,26,16,384

-----

-----

9 Finance and Accounts of the Authority

7,50,000

1000

4,60,596

7,50,000

9,212

2,80,450

65,811

7,79,624-----

590

800 -----

-----20,00,000

----------

-----

34


NBA

10 Annual Plan 2009-2010

(a) Physical targets

• Conduct four authority meetingsduring the year and implement thedecisions of the meeting.

• Promote and support establishment ofState Biodiversity Boards in theremaining states and promote andsupport constitution of BiodiversityManagement Committees in unionterritories under necessary support andguidance of National BiodiversityAuthority.

• Promote and support constitution ofBiodiversity Management Committeesin different States of India.

• Promote and support the StateBiodiversity Boards and linedepartments, research organizations,NGOs etc for conducting workshops,awareness creation etc by providingfunds, for achieving the expectedresults.

• Create awareness through mass media,literature development, compact discs,documentary films etc on issues ofbiodiversity conservation andmanagement in different ecosystems.

• Organize and support conferences,workshops, trainings, awareness camps,exhibitions etc.

• Formulation of guidelines andimplementation of Peoples’ BiodiversityRegister.

• Establishment of office in Institutionalareas in Chennai and liaison office inDelhi.

• Acquisition of land for NBA Campusand initiate action for regional offices.

• Support BMCs and SBBs for effectiveimplementation of the BiologicalDiversity Act through internal andexternal funding support.

(b) Activities/Components

� As per Sec.12 of the Biological DiversityAct, 2002 and Rule 10, the authority shallmeet at least four times a year normallyafter a period of three months. It isproposed to conduct four AuthorityMeetings during the year 2009-10 fordiscussing and taking decisions onimportant issues relating to the Act.

35NBA


� The National Biodiversity Authority hastaken constant efforts and also prevailedupon the states in the formation of StateBiodiversity Board as laid down underthe Act. So far 21 States have notified theformation of State Biodiversity Board. Theremaining States will be persuaded toform State Biodiversity Boards. NationalBiodiversity Authority will be supportingthe establishment of State BiodiversityBoard by issuing a onetime grant.

� Efforts will be taken to persuade StateBiodiversity Boards for establishment ofBiodiversity Management Committees atleast at the district level.

� Implementation of People’s BiodiversityRegister by BMCs so formed fordocumenting the traditionalknowledge of individuals with regard tobiodiversity.

� The State Governments will be persuadedand guided to notify areas of biodiversity

�

importance as Biodiversity HeritageSites.

� The guidelines formulated by the Expertson Enforcement Regulation, Transfer ofResearch Results, Normally TradedCommodity, Microbial Resources andAgreement formats sent to theAdministrative Ministry for vetting will befollowed up for notification in OfficialGazette.

� To create awareness among the peopleand among different stake holdersthrough literature, posters, compact discs,documentary films, exhibitions etc.

Expert Committees constituted for thepreparation of guidelines on (i)Medicinal Plants (ii) IPR and (iii)Traditional and Tribal knowledge willbe finalised by conducting meetingsupported by the appointment of ExpertConsultants.

Vennar River, Tamil Nadu

36


NBA

37NBA


11 Programmes and Activities of State Biodiversity Boards

1. State Biodiversity Boards Notified

The following 21 States have formed“State Biodiversity Board” viz., Karnataka, Goa,Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Punjab, Kerala,Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, HimachalPradesh, Mizoram, Chattisgarh, Manipur,Sikkim, Gujarat, Uttaranchal, Andhra Pradesh,Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Tamilnadu, Jharkandand Tripura. National Biodiversity Authorityis taking initiatives to implement BiologicalDiversity Act, 2002 by constituting BiodiversityCouncils to monitor and implement theBiodiversity Management Committees in theUnion Territories of India.

2. Financial Assistance granted to SBB

Based on the decision taken in the firstmeeting of NBA, the authority needs to providea onetime grant-in-aid of Rs.10,00,000/-(consisting of two installments of Rs.5,00,000/-for the establishment and infrastructure of theState Biodiversity Boards formed). The States ofChattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Sikkim,Jharkhand and Tripura have been paid firstInstallment of onetime Grant of Rs. 5 Lakhs. TheStates of 1) Karnataka 2) Madhya Pradesh 3)Punjab 4) Goa 5) West Bengal 6) Nagaland 7)Kerala, 8) Himachal Pradesh 9) Uttar Pradesh10) Arunachal Pradesh 11) Uttaranchal 12)Andhra Pradesh and 13) Mizoram have receivedthe second Installment of the onetime Grant.

3. Activities of the State Biodiversity Boards

3.1. Punjab Biodiversity Board

International Biodiversity Day was celebratedin collaboration with Punjab State Council forScience & Technology (PSCST). InternationalBiodiversity Day was also celebrated on 22nd

May, 2008 at Pushpa Gujral Science City,Kapurthala by organizing quiz competitionson Biodiversity, lectures, display of posters &banners and distribution of informativebrochures/pamphlets amongst students andgeneral visitors to the Science City to make themaware of importance of biodiversity and itsconservation. Punjab Biodiversity Boardprovided funds for the activities.

Activities with Biodiversity ManagementCommittees (BMCs) and NGOs

Punjab Biodiversity Board, PSCST had set up31 Biodiversity Management Committees inDistrict Gurdaspur and Hoshiarpur with thehelp of Department of Forest, Departmentof Education and Local NGOs underUNESCO sponsored project as “CapacityBuilding for Promoting EnvironmentalSustainability through BiodiversityConservation”. The Board took up thefollowing activities:-

38


NBA

� Institute of Ecology and Environment,Pathankot organized a workshop-cum-exhibition on Biodiversity Conservationinvolving Biodiversity ManagementCommittees from villages Memoon,Durang Khed, Kakruhi, Garl, Chhatwaland Dher Kalan, farmers and teachers ofGovernment Dispensary Chhatwal on May22, 2008. More than 80 persons includingthe Members of BMCs, Forest ManagementCommittee, Self help group, farmers &teachers participated in the event. Expertlectures were delivered on the role ofbiodiversity in human lives. A film onbiodiversity conservation titled ‘Securingour Future’ prepared by Punjab BiodiversityBoard and Punjab State Council for Science& Technology was also screened.Department of Forests & Wildlife alsoactively participated at the occasion. ForestRange Officer, Pathankot delivered aspecial lecture on ‘Importance ofBiodiversity Conservation’.

� An exhibition of products prepared fromvarious medicinal and other plants wasorganized by Members of BMCs and SelfHelp Group, village Kakroi, Dher Block,Pathankot.

� Youth Service Club, Hoshiarpurcelebrated International Biodiversity Dayby organizing a district level Programmeat village Bhambatoor, District Hoshiarpur.A special lecturer on biodiversityconservation and importance ofagricultural biodiversity was delivered byShri. Devinder Singh, Master Trainer,NGC.

� The BMCs of Bisso Chek, Bhavana, MeerBeh, Swah, Ghagwal, Beh, Rehrupatti andBehlandhar from District Hoshiarpur alsocelebrated Biodiversity Day in theirrespective villages by organizing VillageLevel Awareness Programmes. ThePunjabi version of the film “Securing ourFuture” prepared by Punjab BiodiversityBoard & PSCST was screened in all thevillages. PBB provide funds for the aboveactivity.

� Peoples Forum, Bargari, DistrictFaridkot organized Biodiversity AwarenessYatra for 40 rural students from socio-

economically backward background and28 teachers from 11 schools and 4 eco-clubsof district Faridkot to make them aware ofbiologically important sites in the state andimportance of its conservation as under:

• Chhatbir Park Patiala- Ex–situconservation area on 01.06.2008.

• Sukhana lake Chandigarh – In-situconservation site on 1.06.2008.

• Ropar wetland, Ropar – In-situconservation site on 1.06.2008.

The students and teachers were introduced tovarious elements of biodiversity, includingbird watching through special lectures byeminent persons.

School based Programmes:Punjab State Council for Science andTechnology requested all the DistrictEducational Officers and 80 Master Trainers ofNGC in the state to celebrate this day byinvolving schools covered under National GreenCorp (NGC) programme. Detailed reports werereceived from 15 districts.

Study on Economically Important Flora andFauna of Punjab. A survey by Punjab StateCouncil for Science & Technology (PSCST) inthe Shivalik area of Punjab has indicated thatseveral communities depend upon theirlivelihoods on local biological resources. Astudy on commercially important flora andfauna in Punjab was taken up with StateGovernment funding to collect data availablewith Department of Industries on biodiversitybased industries in the state and for departmentof culture to identify livelihoods based onbiodiversity and promote their conservation andsustainable use. Preliminary studies have beencompleted and report is under preparation.Meanwhile National Biodiversity Authority hasalso sanctioned a project on “InventorizingIndustries involved in Exploitation ofBiodiversity in Punjab” under which detailedinformation is being collected.

International Conference on “ClimateChange, Biodiversity and Food Security in theSouth Asian Region”. The board actively par-ticipated with Punjab State Council of Scienceand Technology for organizing InternationalConference on “Climate Change, Biodiversity

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and Food Security in the South Asian Region”in collaboration with United National Educa-tional, Scientific and Cultural Organization on3rd & 4th November, 2008. More than 150 scien-tists from Bangladesh, France, Germany, India,Pakistan and Srilanka attended the conferencesand deliberated lectures on various issues ofbiodiversity and food security.

3.2. Manipur Biodiversity Board

Celebration of International day for BiologicalDiversity

International Day for Biological Diversity(IBD) was celebrated by the Board with thetheme “Biodiversity and Agriculture” on 22nd

May 2008 by undertaking following activities:

1. Panel discussion over the television onsignificance of International Bio-diversityDay to sensitize people in the four valleydistricts;

2. Broadcast through All India Radio,Imphal, on “Biodiversity and Agriculture”in Manipuri language with focus onfarmers;

3. An interview with Bala Prasad, Chiefconservator of forests, broadcast throughAll India Radio, Imphal in English on“Biodiversity “ for general awareness;

4. A comprehensive article on “BiodiversityConservation and sustainable Agriculturein the 21st Century;”- By Dr. DebanandaS. Ningthoujam, Head of department,Department of Biochemistry, ManipurUniversity published in all importantnewspapers in English and local ManipuriZoological Garden on 22.5.2008 and;

5. Inviting and providing free entry to theschool children to Manipur ZoologicalGarden for sensitizing them aboutbiodiversity, particularly faunalbiodiversity of the state.

The celebration of the international Day forBiological Diversity, with the extensive use ofelectronic mass media and print media has beenduly appreciated by the people of Manipur. Ithas gone a long way in creating awarenessabout biodiversity among farmers, children,planners, opinion makers etc. Further, it hascreated awareness about conservation of localvarieties of agriculture crops. The importanceof conservation and sustainable use ofbiodiversity on food security, nutrient andhuman well being, importance of agriculturalbiodiversity and the creation of awarenessabout them has been the core message duringthe celebration of biological diversity day. Thepublication of comprehensive article “Biologicalconservation and sustainable Agriculture in 21st

Century” in important newspapers, two radiotalks and a prime time panel discussion ontelevision, helped to carry the message to mostof the people of the state; sensitize them for theneed of conservation and susutainable use ofthe biodiversity in general and agro biodiversityin particular.

• Biological Diversity Rules, 2008.Government of Manipur has approved andnotified comprehensive Manipur BiologicalDiversity Rules, 2008 on 05.03.2009.

• Biodiversity Heritage Sites ManipurBiodiversity Board had constituted acommittee under the Chairmanship of ShriS. Singsit, Principal Chief Conservator ofForests, Manipur for identifyingBiodiversity Heritage sites in Manipur andformulation of action plan for each siteunder section 37 of Biological Diversity Act,2002. A brain storming session wasorganized on 15.07.2008. In line with thesuggestions by the participants of the brainstorming session, there are 19 sites havebeen recommended for declaration asBiodiversity Heritage sites.

In its fourth meeting, the ManipurBiodiversity Board has decided to give preferenceto these 19 sites for constitution of biodiversitymanagement committee, as they are rich inbiodiversity and PBR of these sites can also beused for preparation of action plan for thesebiodiversity heritage sites. Further, the Board hasdecided to request the Institute of Bioresourcesand Sustainable Development to prepare 2-3 PBRin these 19 sites which can be used as referencedocuments for PBR of other places.

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Involving National Level Organisation indocumentation of Biodiversity

In due appreciation of the inherent strengthof national level organizations, the ManipurBiodiversity Board has adopted a strategy toinvolve them in authentic documentation ofbiodiversity of Manipur. Accordingly, BSI andZSI are being perused to complete thedocumentation for the remaining flora andfauna of Manipur. FRLHT, Bangalore hasalready formulated projects on “Training onBaseline Survey, Documentation, RapidAssessment and promotion of Local HealthTradition in Selected Location of Manipur State”and “Survey & Demarcation of Medicinal plantsin Manipur”. The projects have been approvedby Department of AYUSH and NationalMedicinal Plants Board, Government of India.

Awareness generation to students throughthe visit to Manipur zoological garden

3.3 Mizoram Biodiversity Board

1. The Mizoram Biodiversity Board held oneBoard Meeting on 04.04.2008.

2. As per the Biological Diversity Act, 2002,action was taken up with all the Territorial

Forest Divisions for the constitution ofBiodiversity Management Committees at allVillage Councils of the State. Accordingly,in the first phase, 4 Divisions have respondedand 101 Biodiversity ManagementCommittees have been constituted at theVillage level.

3. The draft Mizoram Biological Diversity Rules,2008 prepared by this Board has beencirculated to all Members for scrutiny andcomments. Once this is completed(31.5.2009), the same will be sent to theGovernment to be placed before thelegislature to get the assent as per sec 63 (3)of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.

5. The Board has received Rs.15,00,000/-assistance from the NBA for establishmentof SBB and BMC.

6. The Board has conducted followingworkshops:

- Meeting cum Training of PrimaryStakeholders (11.4.2008) at Aizawl- Training cum Workshop on WildlifeIssues at Aizawl (24.6.2008)- Two-day Workshop on understandingBiodiversity through Camera traps (5- 6.3.2009) at Dampa Tiger Reserve- Celebration of InternationalBiodiversity Day 2008 at Lunglei

7. The Board has also initiated measures topopularize Biodiversity concervation inMizoram through, media like AIR,Doordarshan, private local TV channels andprint media. Work on preparation of thepictorial booklet “Wild Flowers of Mizoram” (inMizo) is in progress.

3.4. Himachal Pradesh Biodiversity Board

• Awareness campaign forimplementation of Biological Diversity Actorganized.

The H.P. State Biodiversity Board organizedan awareness campaign for the stakeholdersof biodiversity about Biological Diversity Act,2002 in the panchayats selected for thepreparation of Biodiversity Registers on a pilotbasis in the state at Gram Panchayat Churag,Tehsil Karsog, District Mandi, H.P.(25.10.2008), Gram Panchayat Khatnol, Tehsil

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Sunni, District Shimla, H.P. (29.10.2008),Gram Panchayat Toong, Tehsil Banjar, DistrictKullu, H.P. (8.11.2008), Gram PanchayatDarlaghat, Tehsil Arki, District Solan, H.P.(25.11.2008), Gram Panchayat, Jukhala, TehsilSadar, District Bilaspur, H.P. (1.3.2009), GramPanchayat Sarahan, Tehsil Chopal, DistrictShimla, H.P(25.3.2009) and Gram PanchayatGarli, Tehsil Rakkar, District Kangra, H.P.(29.3.2009).

Dr. V. K. Sharma, Rt. Prof. UHF, Nauni,Solan, H.P. delivered a lecture to thestakeholders of Gram Panchayat, Jukhala inthe one-day camp on 1.3.2009.

The participants were apprised on the thoughtgiven for Conservation of Biological Diversity(CBD) at the international and national levelsand subsequent enactment of the BiologicalDiversity Act, 2002 and Biological DiversityRules, 2004 by the Government of India. Thestakeholders were briefed about the termbiodiversity, its importance, threats/problemsfaced at national and state levels andconservation needs. The linkage and inter-relationships of biodiversity with the commonstakeholders was explained to theparticipants.

Dr. J. C. Rana , Senior Scientist, NBPGR, atPhagli, Shimla. Participating stakeholdersraising question during the awareness campbriefing the participants at Gram Panchayat,Churag at Gram Panchayat, Jukhala in TehsilSadar of the district of Bilaspur on Karsog Tehsilof Mandi district during the one-day camp on25 October 2008. The participants were briefedon the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 enactedby MOEF GoI, New Delhi, and provisions ofthe Biological Diversity Act, 2002 and Rules,2004 were highlighted to the participants.

Discussions were held with the participantsand clarifications given to the participants onthe spot.

The State Council constituted BiodiversityManagement Committees in seven panchayatsfor preparation of Biodiversity Register on apilot basis in the state at the panchayats,namely, Gram Panchayat Churag, TehsilKarsog, District Mandi, H.P.; Gram PanchayatKhatnol, Tehsil Sunni, District Shimla, H.P.;Gram Panchayat Toong, Tehsil Banjar, DistrictKullu, H.P.; Gram Panchayat Darlaghat, TehsilArki, District Solan, H.P.; Gram Panchayat,Jukhala, Tehsil Sadar, District Bilaspur; GramPanchayat Sarahan, Tehsil Chopal, DistrictShimla; Gram Panchayat Garli, Tehsil Rakkar,District Kangra; and Gram Panchayat Kafnu,Tehsil Nichar District, Kinnaur, H.P.

The State Biodiversity Board celebratedInternational Biodiversity Day on 22 May 2008in the state by carrying out various activitiestargeting the stakeholders of biodiversity in thestate. The activities included programmesthrough ecoclubs, radio talks, TV, exhibition,etc.

The State Biodiversity Board prepareda draft proposal for Local CommunitiesCapacity Buildings for People Biodiversity

Register, Documentation of Traditional Recipesof H.P. and Linking to LivelihoodsImprovement in the Mountainous Regions, andalso a proposal for promoting sacred groves andsacred sites as heritage sites to ensure theirparticipation in conservation and sustainablemanagement and draft of the status ofbiodiversity of H.P.

The State Council prepared a projectproposal for Management of Weeds namelyLantana, Parthenium and Ageratum for getting

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funds from the Planning Department, H.P. formanagement of weeds on a pilot basis in theinfested areas of the state.

Information, education andcommunication material for the awareness ofthe general stakeholders of biodiversity wascompiled and published in Hindi as “PradeshMein Panchayat Starr per JaivividhataPrabandhan Samitiyon Ka Gathan”.

3.5 Tamil Nadu Biodiversity Board

• Tamil Nadu Biodiversity Board wasconstituted vide G.O.Ms. No. 32/FR-5/2008, Environment & ForestsDepartment dated 29-04-2008.

• The first meeting of the Tamil NaduState Biodiversity Board was held on 14-10-2008.

• A sub-committee was constituted toframe the norms for identifying areas ofbiodiversity heritage sites in Tamil Naduand to prepare rules for StateBiodiversity Board. The first Sub-Committee Meeting was held on 28-02-2009 and the above points werediscussed. Presently, Tamil Nadu Rulesfor State Biodiversity Board have beenprepared and are under scrutiny by theSub-Committee.

• It was decided to include the important‘Sacred Grooves’, which are rich inbiodiversity, as heritage sites. The list isin the finalising stage.

The District Collectors of 31 districts inTamil Nadu were asked through theSecretary, Government of Tamil Naduto take steps for the formation of BMCsin their respective districts.

3.6. Karnataka Biodiversity Board

The board has undertaken followingactivities:

1. Formation of BiodiversityManagement Committees (BMCs)

2. Awareness training on biodiversityand related issues to BMCs, villagers,

•

government servants, colleges,university students and teachers,general public.

3. Preparation of PBR through BMCswith the guidance from NGOs, forestdepartments and universities andcolleges etc.,

4. Preparation of proposal fordeclaration of some areas as heritagesite under Biodiversity Act.

5. Research projects6. Conducting of workshops7. Survey of bio industries using bio-

resources.

Biodiversity Awareness TrainingProgramme: The Karnataka Biodiversity Boardhas taken up the training programme oncreation of awareness · with respect ofbiodiversity and its related issues includingtraditional knowledge related to biodiversity.

Preparation of People’s Biodiversity Registers(PBRs): As per Biological Diversity Act, People’sBiodiversity Registers are to be prepared. TheRegister shall contain comprehensiveinformation on availability and knowledge oflocal biological resources, their medicinal or anyother uses and traditional knowledge associatedwith them. People’s Biodiversity Registers havebeen prepared in various districts at the gramapanchayath level. People’s BiodiversityRegisters is a panchayat level register thatdocuments local biodiversity and the localcommunity’s knowledge on biodiversityincluding its conservation and its uses.

PBR documentation taken up in 2008-09: Sofar, 69 PBRs covering 13 districts have beencompleted and released. The biodiversitydocumentation in remaining gram panchayats/districts is continuing.

Establishment and Management ofBiodiversity Heritage Sites

Prof. Madhav Gadgil and his associates haveidentified several spots of significance withregard to biodiversity in Karnataka, which hasbeen sent to the Forest Department, Karnataka,to provide better protection for these areas.

Biodiversity Heritage Sites: The tamarindgroves at Nallur village of Devannahalli taluk(Bangalore district) has already been declaredas a heritage site. Erecting a barbed wire fencing

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Coral Reefs at Karaichalli Island, GoMBR Source: Tamil Nadu Forest Department, Ramanathapuram

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of the site and putting a display board at thesite have been undertaken. The proposal todeclare Nethrani Island in Karwar district as aheritage site has been submitted to theGovernment.

Heritage Trees: The field level officers havebeen requested to submit a proposal to declareunique trees as heritage trees.

The Board has published the followingliterature:

1. Karnataka State Biodiversity Strategy andAction Plan (KSBSAP)

2. Bird diversity in Tamarind Grove, Nallurvillage, Devanahalli taluk, Bangalore

3. Trees in Ancient Indian Literature4. Nallur Tamarind Grove Research Report5. Notes on various aspects of Biodiversity Act

and Rules6. First newsletter named the Biodiversity

Quarterly7. Proceedings of Workshop on Documentation

of Local Traditional Knowledge

Newsletter: Karnataka Biodiversity Board hasstarted publication of a newsletter, whichprovides important information and containsarticles from various sources on variouscomponents of biodiversity.

Survey of Bio-Industries and Utilisation ofBio-Resources: The National BiodiversityAuthority has funded a project for a survey ofbio-industries and utilisation of bio-resources.Rs. 3 lakhs has been released by the NBA forthe project. Action has been initiated to collectthe information on bio-resources from bio-industries with the involvement of KarnatakaIndian Manufacturer’s Association (Regd),Karnataka Unani/Homeopathy MedicalAssociation, Department of Bio-Technology,Department of Horticulture, Department ofAgriculture and Department of AnimalHusbandry and Forestry.

Workshop/Seminar: A workshop ondocumentation of local traditional knowledgewas conducted in Bangalore. The Chairman,National Biodiversity Authority, inauguratedthe workshop and gave a keynote address. Theworkshop was attended by representatives fromKarnataka Drug Manufacturers Association,Nati Vidyas, various government departments,

universities, NGOs, media persons and retiredofficers. The workshop was funded by NationalBiodiversity Authority.

In-situ Conservation of Biodiversity in drydistricts: Action has been initiated to identifyand demarcates an area of 100–200 hadepending upon availability and in-situconservation of the species, which are on thedecline in the forests of 13 districts, namely,Bangalore, Bagalkot, Bellary, Bidar, Bijapur,Chamarajnagar, Chitradurga, Gulbarga, Kolar,Koppal, Mandya, Raichur, and Tumkur. TheDeputy Conservators of Forests (Territorial) ofthe district are the implementing officers of thisproject.

Advise to Government: The Board has sent aproposal to the Government for levy, of cesscharges on pharmaceutical companies on thebasis of their turnover.

3.7. Madhya Pradesh Biodiversity Board

As per Sub-section (1) of Section 63 of theBiological Diversity Act, 2002, the Governmentof Madhya Pradesh has notified the MadhyaPradesh Biodiversity Act, 2004. As per theprovision of the Madhya Pradesh BiodiversityAct, 2004 read with the Biological Diversity Act,2002, the State Government has constitutedMadhya Pradesh State Biodiversity Board w.e.f.11 April 2005. The activities of the Board in2008–09 are as follows.

During the year 2008–09, project works werecarried out and interim/final reports have beensubmitted to the MPSBB.

People’s Biodiversity Registers: It has beendecided that the preparation of People’sBiodiversity Registers (PBRs) of both forest aswell as revenue villages located in forest areasshall be entrusted to the State ForestDepartment. During the year 2008–09, the StateForest Department carried out the preparationof PBRs of 867 forest and 233 revenue villages.Samples of PBRs have been submitted to theMPSBB.

Biodiversity Atlas of MP: The preparation ofBiodiversity Atlas of Madhya Pradesh showingspecies/varieties of both wild and cultivatedplants/crops, and wild and domestic animalsin each tehsil of all 50 districts of MadhyaPradesh has been entrusted to Madhya PradeshCouncil of Science and Technology (MPCOST),

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Bhopal. The required data were procured fromthe concerned departments, viz., ForestDepartment, Agriculture Department,Horticulture Department, Animal HusbandryDepartment, and Fisheries Department.

Education, Awareness and Training:

Mowgli Utsav, 2008: For creating awarenessof conservation of forests, wildlife, biodiversityand environment among school children,Mowgli Utsav (2008) was organized in PenchTiger Reserve, in Seoni district, with the activeparticipation of the MPSBB, State EducationDepartment, Tribal Department, MP TourismDevelopment Corporation, MP Eco-tourismDevelopment Board, District Administration,etc. For participating in this Utsav, four schoolchildren were selected from each district on thebasis their performance in painting and essaycompetitions in schools. During the MowgliUtsav (2008), various activities, viz., eco-trekking, safari and village visits in Pench TigerReserve areas, games and quiz, were organizedfor participating schoolchildren. “Mowgli kiPati” was circulated to school children invitingtheir replies.

International Biodiversity Day (22 May 2008):For celebrating International Biodiversity Day(22 May 2008), an amount of Rs.10,000/- wassent to each District Collector for organisingseminars, meetings, rallies, competitions etc. Thetheme for celebrating International BiodiversityDay (22 May 2008) was “Biodiversity andagriculture”.

Documentary film on Biodiversity of MP: Thepreparation of a short documentary film onbiodiversity of Madhya Pradesh has beenentrusted to the Madhya Pradesh Madhyam,an undertaking of the State Government. Thework on the documentary is in progress.

Quarterly Bio-diversity Newsletter ofMPSBB: Regular publication of a quarterlynewsletter Jaiv Vividhta of MPSBB has beentaken up since December 2006. Thesenewsletters were sent to all the relatedGovernment departments/undertakings,universities, District Collectors, BMCs, etc.

Exhibition of MPSBB: A stall for exhibition ofactivities of MPSBB was included in the “VanMela” organized by MP Minor Forest ProduceFederation.

Biodiversity Interpretation Centre: Ablueprint of the Biodiversity InterpretationCentre in Guru Govind Singh Park, Bhopal wasprepared by the Centre of EnvironmentEducation, Pune.

Web Site: The official website of MPSBB(www.mpsbb.org.in) is being maintained.

Ex-situ/In-situ Conservation:

Study Project: “Threats of sand mining on thenesting of turtle and ghariyal in the NationalChambal Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh” hasbeen entrusted to School of Studies in Zoology,Jiwaji University, Gwalior. The final report wasreceived by MPSBB and was sent to the WildlifeWing of the State Forest Department for takingappropriate measures.

Competition for Best Biodiversity Garden:For creating awareness about the role ofgardens for ex-situ conservation of biodiversity,all District Collectors were directed to organizecompetition in their districts for selectingpublic/private garden having the bestbiodiversity. An amount of Rs. 5,000 as prizemoney was sent to each District Collector fordistributing to the best biodiversity garden.

Biodiversity Park in Gwalior District: MPSBBhas entrusted the project of establishment ofBiodiversity Park in Gwalior district to the StateForest Department. The work is under progress.

Establishment of Botanical Garden: MPSBBhas entrusted the project of establishment ofbotanical garden in Ujjain district to the StateForest Department. The work has beencompleted.

Establishment of Nurseries of RET Plants:Nurseries of RET Plants have been establishedin Bhopal, Rewa and Jabalpur districts. Plantsare being grown for plantation works as wellas for sale to private persons.

Establishment of Biodiversity Heritage Sites:All District Collectors have been directed toidentify Biodiversity Heritage Sites as per thecriteria laid down in the draft guidelinescirculated by the NBA. Some sites have alreadybeen identified and suggested by the BSI.

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Governance:

Biodiversity Management Committees(BMCs): All District Collectors have beendirected to constitute BMCs at the level ofGram Sabhas in their districts. The workis in progress. It may be mentioned thatBMCs have already been constituted atthe level of all District Panchayats, JanpadPanchayats, Village Panchayats, NagarPanchayats, Nagar Nigams and NagarPalika Parishads.

Workshops for Biodiversity ManagementCommittees: It has been envisaged toorganize workshops for training of BMCs.This task has been entrusted to IndianInstitute of Forest Management, Bhopal.For this programme, training manual isbeing prepared.

Workshops on Biodiversity Act/Rulesand on Intellectual Property Rights: Ithas been envisaged to organize workshopson B iodivers i ty Act/Rules and onIntellectual Property Rights with the helpof the National Law Institute University,Bhopal. For this programme, the NationalLaw Institute University, Bhopal hasprepared a detailed utilisation note on theBio log ica l Divers i ty Act , 2002 , theBiological Diversity Rules, 2004 and theMadhya Pradesh Biodiversity Rule, 2004.The preparation of a detailed note onIntellectual Property Rights is in progress.

Incorporation of Biodiversity Issues inWorking Plans of Forest Divisions: TheState Forest Department has been askedto incorporate biodiversity issues inworking plans of all the forest divisionsof Madhya Pradesh. Earlier, a workshopof senior level officers of the State ForestDepartment, the State Forest ResearchIns t i tu te has been organized .Recommendations of this workshop havebeen sent to the State Forest Departmentfor appropriate action.

Incorporation of Biodiversity Issues inPolicies, Programmes of Concerned StateGovernment Departments: All theconcerned State Government Departmentshave been asked to appropr ia te lyincorporate biodiversity issues in theirpolicies as well as programmes/schemes.

3.8. Chattisgarh Biodiversity Board

The State Biodiversity Board came into beingvide notification No. F-8-29/2006/102 dt. 16-02-06. In pursuance to the review meeting ofSBBs of all the states at Ooty on 28 and 29 April2008 and the directions issued vide DO No.28-10/2008-CS-III(NBA) of Secretary to GOI,Ministry of Environment & Forests addressedto Chief Secretary of Chhatisgarh State, aproposal has been sent to State Governmentvide office letter No. WL/BD/08/1896 dt.01-08-2008 to reconstitute Chhatisgarh BiodiversityBoard. The desired amendment to the existingnotification No. F-8-21/2005/102 dt. 16-02-2006 is awaited.

The required staff for SBB has been approvedby the Board. However, the Government hasso far sanctioned part of the required staff, forexample: 1 Scientist, 1 Dy Conservator, I HeadClerk and Data Entry Operator/PA videGovernment of Chattisgarh Forest departmentLetter No. F 1-6/2007/10-1/van dt. 08-09-2008. Recruitment & Appointment/staff fromother departments On Deputation is in theprocess. As on today, a solitary data entryoperator with the Member Secretary of theBoard is at work. Efforts are on to procure restof the staff.

Instructions have been issued at thefield level to form biodiversity managementcommittees at Gram Panchayat and JilaPanchayat levels and for preparation of People’sBiodiversity Register in all the 18 districts of theState. These tasks are expected to beaccomplished in due course.

Biodiversity Heritage Sites: A team fromUNESCO visited the state and held meeting withthe Chief Secretary on 17 October 2008. ForestDepartment and Department of Culture andTourism jointly made presentations fordeclaration of potential heritage sites of Sirpurand Kanker Valley National Park and parts ofBastar for declaration as heritage sites to berecognized by UNESCO. Other BiodiversityHeritage Sites are being identified and a list isbeing published shortly.

3.9. Arunachal Pradesh Biodiversity Board

• Draft Arunachal Pradesh BiologicalDiversity Rules, 2009 have been prepared

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and submitted to State Government forapproval. Member Secretary of the Boardvisited Bhopal, Andhra Pradesh andKarnataka for extensive discussionregarding implementation of BiologicalDiversity Act.

• A comprehensive list of threatened floraland faunal species prepared under Section38 of the Act and submitted to the StateGovernment for notification.

• State Biodiversity Strategy and ActionPlan has been updated, revised andpublished.

• Office of the Biodiversity Board has beenstrengthened.

3.10. Andhra Pradesh Biodiversity Board

The First Biological Heritage Site of AndhraPradesh

Based on resolution of the Veerapuram GramaPanchayati of Anantapur, A.P. BiodiversityBoard has advised the State Government todeclare Veerapuram Conservation of Tanks inthe IndustrialPark, which isa feeding zonefor the pelicansas BiologicalHeritage Site.S i m i l a rinitiative hasbeen taken forrecognition of Biodiversity Park established byDolphin Conservation Society inVisakhapatnam as a Heritage Site.

The Conservator of Forests (P & E),Warangal, has proposed the existingconservation of rattans in Warangal area ofAndhra Pradesh. The Board has sanctioneda project for raising seedling for the purpose.It is also proposed to develop Pegion PeaDiversity Park in Seetampeta. The Pegion PeaDiversity Park will be under the managementof Biodiversity Management Committee(BMC) of the respective Grama Panchayatsand would receive the technical guidelinesfrom High Altitude Research Station,Seetampeta of Acharya N.G. RangaAgricultural University.

A.P. Biodiversity Board as made anattempt to assess the quantity of biologicalresource being utilized by various biologicalresource utilisation agencies such as herbalunits, seed industries and other biotechnologicalcompanies of Andhra Pradesh and they wererequested to submit details in Form I of theBiological Diversity Act, 2002. The BMCMahanandi has decided that an accession feeof Rs. 300 lakhs would be levied onmultinational seed company Monsanto foralleged biopiracy of the bacteria, Bacillusthurengenisis. The A.P. Biodiversity Boardproposes to initiate action against the soft drinkcompanies, which are preparing “herbal cola”drink based on the traditional knowledge of theHemidesmus (nannari juice) in Rayalaseemaareas of Andhra Pradesh.

The biopiracy case as per the BiologicalDiversity Act, 2002 was booked against aGerman national Dr. Marc Clark Baumgatenand his local associate, Mr. Venkat Reddy, wholanded in Araku Valley of Visakhapatnam inNovember 2007.

Till date, about 11 BiodiversityManagement Committees have been constitutedin Kurnool, Nalgonda, Mahaboobnagar,Visakhapatnam and Anantapur districts. SonaMasuri variety of rice of Acharya N.G. RangaAgricultural University was released in 1980and Malaysia Trademark Office has registeredit as a trademark. The export of rice under SonaMasuri trade name was objected to by theBoard.

Capacity Building and Human ResourceDevelopment

Organising photo exhibition andsamalochana for various stake holders suchas Biodiversity Management Committeemembers, NGOs and officials of variousdepartments and research scholars fromdifferent universities through local, districtlevel, state level and national level workshopsand seminars such as the following:

• National Workshop on “NationalWorkshop on Bio Piracy andIntellectual Property Rights related toBiodiversity”. On 23-08-2008 atAdministrative Staff College of India,Hyderabad.

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• Southern States Forest MinistersConference on 25–26 October, 2008 atHyderabad.

• District Level meetings at Araku Valley,Visakhapatnam and Chittoor.

• The IIT Bombay, Powai, Mumbaiconducted a two-day seminar at IITBombay on global warming andChallenges for Bio-Technology Studentsin Carbon-di-oxide Migratory and onbiodiversity. The Member Secretaryattended the seminar on 21 and 22October 2008.

• A two-day workshop on “Public PrivatePartnership in Forestry” held at ValkunthMehra National Institute of Co-operativeManagement (VAMNICOM), Pune on 23and 24 December 2008.

• Interactive session held at AdministrativeStaff College of India, Bella vista on 18June 08.

• National workshop on Bio-Piracy AndIntellectual Property Rights, related tobiopiracy held on 23 August 08.

• Meeting on threatened species by ExpertCommittee held on 12 December 2008.

• Brain storming session on traditionalknowledge on 16 December 2008.

3.11. Sikkim State Biodiversity Board

• The International Centre for IntegratedMountain Development (CIMOD),Kathmandu, Nepal has supported the SBB,Sikkim on “Creating Awareness, CapacityBuilding on Access and Benefit Sharingfrom Genetic Resources and associatedTraditional Knowledge in Sikkim, India”.

• Biodiversity and Agriculture WildlifeDiversity in Sikkim. International Day forBiological Diversity; Training Workshop forstudents and teachers on Conservation ofBiodiversity. GBPIHED, Sikkim.

• Environment and Conservation awarenesscum planning workshop: Tsomgo PokhariSanrakshan Samiti.

• Biodiversity and Conservation in SikkimEDTS-Power 10 Programme EducationalDevelopment Trust of Sikkim.

• Indian Biological Diversity Act, 2002 andthe Biological Diversity Rules, 2004Training cum Awareness programme onABS from Genetic Resources andAssociated TK at Lingee, South Sikkim,Khamdong-Simik, East, Singtam-Pendam,East Society for Better Environment,Sikkim, ICIMOD, NAPED.

• Biodiversity (flora, fauna, habitats) ofSikkim for SSB personnel at Marchak, EastSikkim 24th Battalion, SSB.

• Curbing of WL Trade in Sikkim forest,Army, ITBP, police, excise, personnel, etc.(two workshops). WWF-India Sikkim FieldOffice TRAFFIC and IUCN.

• Workshop for Eastern region fordeveloping Master Zoo Education PlanPadmaja Naidu Himalayan ZoologicalPark Centre for Environment Education(CEE).

• Peoples’ Biodiversity Register EDCs to benotified as BMC/SBB.

• Meeting and interactive discussion onAccess and Benefit Sharing from GeneticResources and Associated TraditionalKnowledge at Hee-Gaon West Sikkim 26September 2008.

• Training cum Awareness on Access andBenefit Sharing from Genetic Resourcesand Associated Traditional Knowledge atLingee, South Sikkim on 20 November2008.

• Training cum Awareness on Access andBenefit Sharing from Genetic Resourcesand Associated Traditional Knowledge atSumik, East Sikkim on 10 December 2008.

• Exposure Visit to ICIMOD Katmandu,Godawari Demonstration Centre, Li-BIRDand Begnas Village under LekhnathMunicipality in Pokhara Nepal, 26October to 1 November 2008 (4 peoplefrom Sikkim participated including onesenior forest officer and a Zilla Panchayat).

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• Meeting in the Forest, Environment andWildlife Management Department ForestSecretariat, Deorali, Gangtok Sikkim, 25September 2008.

• Training workshop on Access and BenefitSharing from Genetic Resources andAssociated Traditional Knowledge toMedia, Shillong, December 15–16 (2 peopleincluding one media person participatedfrom Sikkim).

• Training cum awareness programme onAccess and Benefit Sharing from GeneticResources and Associated TraditionalKnowledge at Khamdong, East Sikkim on28 February 2009 by the Khamcong GramPanchayat Unit.

• Training workshop Access and BenefitSharing from Genetic Resources andAssociated Traditional Knowledgedocumentation to BMCs/TKCs,East PointSchool, Singtam East Sikkim, 30–31 May2009.

• A simple reading material “Awareness,Capacity Building on Access and BenefitSharing from Genetic Resources andassociated Traditional Knowledge inSikkim, India” in Nepali has beendeveloped. The material includes briefinformation on Indian Biological DiversityAct 2002, Indian Biological Diversity Rules,2004 and Sikkim State Biological DiversityRules, 2006.

3.12. Kerala State Biodiversity Board

� 15 BMCs were constituted. (14 Panchayatsand 1 Corporation)

� People’s Biodiversity Register (PBR) is beingdocumented in 14 Panchayats; 100panchayats are expected to complete thedocumentation by the end of the year 2009—2010.

� Wetland maps at the scale 1 : 12,000 arebeing prepared for the whole State. Will becompleted within two months.

� A model wetland management programmeenhancing wetland biodiversity and

livelihood is being implemented in the Kolewetlands in Malappuram district.

� Mapping of the Coastal Ecosystems at 1 :4000 will be completed by the end of 2009–2010.

� A model coastal ecosystem managementprogramme enhancing biodiversity andlivelihood has been initialised.

� A project to restore the biodiversity of anagro-ecosystem was launched during theyear in a 400-acre microwatershed.

� Biodiversity-rich areas outside the ProtectedArea Network are being identified througha project initiated in 2008–2009. Theidentified areas will be included in theexisting Pas, designated as ConservationReserves, Community Reserves orBiodiversity Heritage Sites.

� Annual Waterfowl Census started during2007 with participation of bird watchersacross the state. The programme continuedduring 2008–2009.

� Conservation programme for heronries inthe State was launched during 2008 bytilizatio enumeration of the heronries acrossthe State by the bird watchers.

� Nature education programme conducted bythe KSBB during the year includes

a. Nature education programmes forschools and colleges

b. School campus biodiversityenhancement programme

c. Nature Education Programme for mediad. Nature Education programme for

Secretariat Staffe. Children’s Biodiversity Congress

� The KSBB was constituted and GreenAwards were given by KSBB for: (1)individuals for lifetime contributions tonature conservation, (2) schools, (3) schoolteachers and (4) institutions.

� The KSBB formulated the following twopolicies during the year, which haverelevance in biodiversity conservation:

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� Kerala State Organic Farming Policy� Kerala State Environment Policy

� KSBB conducted a National Seminarduring April 2008 on the GeneticallyModified Crops and Foods. The exhaustivediscussions at the seminar brought out theirrevocable damage that the geneticallymodified (GM) crops would inflict on: (1)the local biodiversity, (2) health, (3)economy, and (4) food security andsovereignty and, came out with theinevitable resolution to keep Kerala GM-free and urge the Central Government tokeep India GM-free.

3.13. Jharkhand Biodiversity Board

Two meetings of the Jharkhand BiodiversityBoard were held on 16-01-2008 and 20-01-2009and following decisions were taken:

� To make people aware of the BiologicalDiversity Act, 2002 through widepublicity via print and electronic media.

� To put in place Biodiversity ManagementCommittees at the local body level forpreparation of People’s BiodiversityRegister.

� To initiate work for preparation ofPeople’s Biodiversity Register in protectedareas.

3.14. Uttar Pradesh Biodiversity Board

� A national level workshop on InternationalBiodiversity on 22 May 2008 wasorganized on Biodiversity & Agriculturepresided by Prof. R. V. Singh. A souvenirwas released on “Biodiversity &Agriculture”.

� Launching of Uttar Pradesh BiodiversityBoard website: www.upsbdb.org

� Approval for establishment of BiodiversityPark at Gorakhpur.

� The following research projects have beensanctioned:

(i) Survey mapping and documentation ofcurrent of floristic diversity and antiquity

of vegetation in Lucknow & adjoiningareas

(ii) Development of biodiversity garden basedon Bentham and Hooker system ofclassification to explore floral diversity inIsabella Thoburn College, Lucknow

(iii) Baseline survey and mapping of microbialdiversity of newly developed KukrailBiodiversity Park

� UPBB has also recommended“Indopiptadenia oudhensis Brenan” to bedeclared as threatened species to the NBA.

3.15. Uttarakhand Biodiversity Board

� 139 People’s Biodiversity Registersdocumented.

� Books Vulnerable Wlidlife and Lantanapublished.

� 28 workshops / meetings organized byUttarakhand Biodiversity Board.

3.16 West Bengal Biodiversity Board

The West Bengal Biodiversity Board completedanother year of successful implementation ofthe mandates of The Biological Diversity Act,2002 and other allied Acts, Rules andNotifications under the guidance of Prof. A. K.Sharma, Chairman, and Sri Debal Ray, MemberSecretary.

Six Biodiversity Management Committees wereconstituted during 2008–2009 in five districtsof West Bengal at Ketugram P.S. (Burdwandistrict), Jamboni P.S. (Paschim Medinipurdistrict), Jhalda II P.S (Purulia district),Karimpur I P.S and Chakdah II P.S. (Nadiadistrict) and Sonamukhi P.S. (Bankura district).

The Board has initiated the preparation of PBRsat Nabagram G.P. under Ketugram andKochdihi G.P. under Sonamukhi P.S. PBRexercise was already in progress at JamsherpurG.P. under Karimpur I P.S., Silinda II G.P. underChakdah II P.S. and Jhalda–Darda G.P. underJhalda II P.S. Other than this, the Board hasassigned projects for preparing PBR to differentschools, colleges, universities, other institutes

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and non-government organisations followingthe Board’s decision to involve schools, collegesand university students and teachers in the PBRexercise of the State. Twenty-three such projectsare in progress throughout the state coveringeight districts.

The West Bengal Biodiversity Board observedthe International Biological Diversity Day 2008through a two-day long programme atParibesh Bhawan, Salt Lake City Kolkata on 22and 23 May 2008. The theme as designated bythe CBD was ‘Biodiversity and Agriculture’. Thecelebration witnessed the formal release of twoidentification manuals on edible mushroomsand wild mammals of rural Bengal; also twoPBRs were released on the occasion in thepresence of the members of the BMC and thePBR activists. The day was also marked by theformal launch of the Board’s websitewww.wbbb.gov.in. The second session of theday’s schedule was chaired by Dr. A. K. Ghosh,Member, NBA and started with a short film onthe PBR Experience of the West BengalBiodiversity Board, followed by representationsby PBR activists from different districts of theState, regarding their experiences during PBRexercise. An exhibition of posters prepared bythe different agencies carrying out PBR exercisein State (emphasising their activities related toagriculture) was kept open for public viewing.A short film on ‘Wetlands of Bengal’ (BanglarPukur in Bengali) produced by the WBBB wasalso screened at the end of the day. A seminaron the theme ‘Biodiversity and Agriculture’ wasarranged on the second day of the programme,i.e., on 23 May 2008. The day started with therelease of the Board’s publication‘Biodiversity—Issues & Concerns’, aproceedings of the seminar lectures presentedduring the observation of IBD, 2006. Five invitedlectures on the topics ‘Plant Genetic Resources& Sustainable Production’, ‘ProkaryoticMicroorganisms: The Unseen Majority’, ‘RiceDiversity & Traditional Knowledge’,‘Conservation of Biodiversity and Developmentof Animal Husbandry’ and ‘Status of InlandFisheries in India: Biodiversity andEnvironmental Concerns’ were delivered byexperts in the field. More than 150 participantsincluding students, PBR volunteers,representatives of the formed BMCs, NGOs,school, college and university teachers,distinguished scientists and officers werepresent and actively took part in this two-dayprogramme.

A number of Awareness Programmes andPeople’s Biodiversity Register Workshops werearranged by the Board and Board officials wereinvited to participate during the period underreport, out of which five were at differentcolleges, universities and other traininginstitutes throughout West Bengal, three werePBR Workshops in different districts, two werearranged by different NGOs working in the fieldof biodiversity conservation and one NatureStudy Camp involving school students.

Two Czech Nationals were arrested fromSingalila, Darjeeling district by Forest Officialsand a large number of insects were seized fromthem, which is an act of gross violation of TheBiological Diversity Act. Since the authority toexecute the provisions of penalties were notspecified in The Act, the case was referred tothe NBA; an outcome has been the MoEFNotification No. S.O. 2708(E), dated 17November 2008 and an amendment to the sameNotification No. S.O. 120(E), dated 7 January,2009, which designates the Officers to filecomplaints under Section 61(a) of the BiologicalDiversity Act, 2002.

The Board has commissioned a number ofresearch activities in collaboration with othereducational and research institutes during theperiod under report, which include ‘Plant DNABank of Economic, Endemic and EndangeredSpecies of West Bengal’, ‘Assessment andDocumentation of Faunal Diversity of BuxaTiger Reserve: Insects and Spiders’, ‘Studies onDiversity and Ecology of Macro-fungi inLateritic Zone of West Bengal’, ‘Survey on theBiological Status of Porcupine Population inKanduah, Howrah’, ‘Study on the Diversity ofScum and Bloom Algae in some PollutedEnvirons of West Bengal and their Potential Useas Bioindicators’ and ‘A Study of Wild life Bio-diversity Elements in Non-forest Man-madeEcosystems, Traditional Management,Changing Status and Conservation Model’.

Publications/ other Releases of the WBBBcompleted and released during the periodunder report:

i. People’s Biodiversity Register ofPaschimpara Mouza (Goghat II P.S.,Hooghly district)

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ii. People’s Biodiversity Register ofPatharpratima G.P. (7 mouzas)(Patharpratima Panchayat Samiti, 24Parganas South district).

iii. Field Identification Manual on ‘EdibleMushrooms’ in Bengali.

iv. Field Identification Manual on ‘CommonWild Mammals of Rural Bengal’ in Bengali

v. ‘Biodiversity—Issues & Concerns:Proceedings of the Lectures delivered onIBD, 2006.

vi. A short film on Wetlands of BengalBanglar Pukur (in Bengali) produced byWBBB.

Two Board Meetings have been held during theperiod under report (13 and 14 on 4 July and18 November 2008 respectively). The majordecisions taken during these meetings includethe following:

� Emphasis on awareness generation andsensitisation programmes throughworkshops, seminars, awarenessprogrammes, publication of brochures,leaflets, banners, posters and popularbooks.

� Decision to constitute 3–5 BMCs in allthe districts in the state and initiate PBRactivities thereof, as per the directives ofthe NBA.

� The Board noted with concern that inthe process of expediting PBR activitiesin the state the actual spirit and methodof PBR should not be lost.

� Initiation of the process for conservationof Baneswar pond (Coochbehar district)as Community Reserve and fordeclaring a forest patch at Chilkigarh(Paschim Medinipur district) as SacredGrove.

� Decision to request West BengalPollution Control Board to ensureclearance from the West BengalBiodiversity Board before issuing

‘Consent to Establish’ and ‘Consentto Operate ’ cer t i f i cates to theapplicants who propose to utilisebio-resources for commercia lpurposes.

� The Heritage Site and Sacred GroveCommittee of the West BengalBiodiversity Board prepared itscomments on the Draft Guidelineson Biodiversity Heritage Site, whichwas forwarded to the NBA.

� Decision to incorporate the clause‘Research act ivi t ies using bio-resources of the State should beintimated to the State Board by theconcerned person/ authority’ in theWest Bengal Biological DiversityRules Amendment, based on theprovis ions of Sec 23I of TheBiological Diversity Act, 2002.

� Approval of the draft of the WestBengal B iodivers i ty Board(Appointment of Officers and otherEmployees) Regulations, 2009 andthe Gazet te Not i f icat ion wassubsequently made vide No. 118/1E(Bio)-1/2008, dated 4 March, 2009.

� The Board proposed and gotfinancial sanction for 15 new postsfor increasing the manpower of theWBBB.

� Resolution on the issue of assistanceto the BMCs for creation of LocalBiodivers i ty Fund, that theassistance to the BMCs should beact ion-or iented, as per therecommendations envisaged in thePBRs of the respective areas.

� Decision to training programmes onproper implementat ion of TheBiodiversity Act, 2002 in the stateand also PBR activities through theState Institute of Panchayat & RuralDevelopment (SIPRD).

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Annex-1 Members of the Authority

The present members of the authority as per Section 8(4) of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 areas under:

Chairperson: Dr P. L. Gautam, Chairman, National Biodiversity Authority, Chennai (No 12, PartI, Sec 2 Gazette of India Weekly, New Delhi, March 21–27, 2009 page 291).

Ex-Officio Members (Letter No 28-16/2008-CS-III MoEF, dated 17 July 2008)

S.No. Ex-Officio Member Represented by

1 Joint Secretary or an officer of an equivalentrank to the Government of India in theMinistry of Tribal Affairs

Shri A.K.Srivastava, Director,Min. of Tribal Affairs, ShastriBhawan, New Delhi

Additional Director General (Forests), Minis-try of Environment and Forests, Governmentof India

2 Shri. M.B.Lal, IFS, ADG(Forests),Min. of Environment& Forests, New Delhi

3 Joint Secretary to the Government of Indiadealing with the subject in the Ministry ofEnvironment and Forests

Shri A.K.Goyal, IFS, JointSecretary (CS), Min. of Envi-ronment & Forests, New Delhi

4 Joint Secy. or an officer of an equivalent rank to theGoI dealing with the subject in the AgriculturalResearch and Education, Min. of Agriculture

Dr. P. L. Gautam (17 July to 31December, 09) / Dr S. P.Tiwari, (1 Jan to 17 Jun 09)/Dr. S. K.Dutta (18 Jun 09 todate) Deputy Director General(Crop Science), ICAR, NewDelhi

5 Joint Secretary or an officer of an equivalentrank to the Govt. of India dealing with thesubject in the Dept. of Biotechnology

Dr. Renu Swarup,Advisor, Dept. of Biotechnology,New Delhi

6 Joint Secretary or an officer of an equivalentrank to the GoI of India dealing with thesubject in the Dept. of Ocean Development

Shri P. Madeswaran,Director, Min. of EarthSciences, New Delhi

7 Joint Secretary or an officer of an equivalentrank to the GoI dealing with the subject inthe Dept. of Agriculture and Cooperation

Shri Pankaj Kumar, Joint Secy.(Plant Protection), Dept. of Agri.& Cooperation, New Delhi.

8 Joint Secy. or an officer of an equivalent rank tothe GoI dealing with the subject in the Dept. ofIndian Systems of Medicine and Homoeopathy

Shri B.S. Sajwan, IFS, ChiefExecutive officer, Nat.MedicinalPlants Board, New Delhi

9 Joint Secretary or an officer of an equivalentrank to the GoI dealing with the subject inthe Dept. of Science and Technology

Dr.B. Harigopal,Advisor, Department of Science& Technology, New Delhi

10 Joint Secretary or an officer of an equivalentrank to the GoI dealing with the subject in theDept. of Scientific and Industrial Research

Dr. Naresh Kumar, Head,R&D Planning Division,CSIR, Rafi Marg, New Delhi.

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Non-Official Members vide (Notification no S.O.262 (E) dated 22 February 2007)

1. Prof. Raghavendra Gadagkar,Center for Biological Science,Indian Institute of Science,Bangalore – 560 012. Karnataka.

2. Prof. Anil Gupta,Indian Institute of Management,Vastrapur,Ahmedabad – 380 001. Gujarat.

3. Dr A. K. Ghosh,Director,Centre for Environment and Development,329, Jodhpur Park,Kolkata 700 068. West Bengal.

4. Dr. S. Subramaniyan54, VGP Golden Sea View,Part II, 2nd Main Road, 5th Cross Street,Palavakkam, Chennai – 600 041. Tamil Nadu.

5.Prof. K. Kathiresan,Professor,Centre for Advanced Study in MarineBiology, Annamalai University,Parangipettai – 608 502. Tamil Nadu

Secretary:

1. Dr K. Venkataraman (up to March 11, 2009)2. Shri C. Achalender Reddy (since March 12, 2009)

Participation / Representation in the biodiversity related conference lecture/symposiaworkshop by non-official members

1. Dr. A K Ghosh, Member, National Biodiversity Authority

May 2008 - West Bengal Biodiversity Board -Session Chairman International day on Biodiversity‘PBR: Sharing experience with the activities’.

June 2008 - Society for Participatory Action & Reflection at BITM, Kolkata - Lecture on ‘GlobalWarming and Biodiversity’.

June 2008 - JBNSTS - Senior Scholars Meet, Kolkata - Lecture on ‘Our Environment and Us’

June 2008 - Institute for Development, Education & Action (IDEA) at Academy of Fine Arts,Kolkata - Lecture on ‘Global Warming: Food, Water, Sanitation: Future Challenge’

July 2008 - Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata - Lecture on ‘Climate Change and SustainableDevelopment’

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August 2008 - Acharya Prafulla Chandra Roy Polytechnic, Kolkata - Lecture on ‘Global Warmingand Biodiversity’.

August 2008 - Centre for Environment Education meet on CMZ, Dhamakhali, north 24 Parganas- Keynote Speaker on Coastal Zone Management.

August 2008 - State Wildlife Advisory Board, Kolkata - 6th Meeting Attended as Member.

August 2008 - Meeting on UNEP – GEF Project at MoEF, New Delhi - Sharing Opinion as InvitedExpert for discussion.

September 2008 - Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manab Sangrahalaya, at Santiniketan - Lecture on‘Sacred Groves of India’.

September 2008 - Centre for Urban Economic Studies, University of Calcutta - Lecture on UrbanEnvironment Management: Urban Biodiversity.

September 2008 - WIPRO, Kolkata- Chief Guest on Inaugural Programme on ‘Eco-Eye’.

September 2008 - State Forest Department, West Bengal - Session Chairman, Management ofHuman–Elephant conflict.

October 2008 - Kerala State Biodiversity Board, Trivandrum, Kerala - Discussion meeting onBiodiversity Act and Rules.

November 2008 - Geography Department, University of Calcutta - Lecture on, ‘Resource Appraisaland Environmental Challenges’

November 2008 - National Academy of Customs Excise & Narcotics (NACEN), Kolkata - Lectureon ‘ODS: International Convention and National Obligation’

Note: In addition, Dr. A K Ghosh, has delivered a series of lectures on ‘Environment and HumanRights’ to the students of post-graduate course on human rights at the University of Calcutta; healso delivered as a visiting faculty, a series of lectures on ‘Environmental Issues’ including‘Biodiversity Conservation’ to the M.Phil students at the Jadavpur University, School ofEnvironmental Studies; Dr. Ghosh also acted as a visiting faculty to the Statesman Print JournalismSchool teaching ‘Environmental Journalism’, which included a major component on ‘BiodiversityConservation’— Policy, Law and Role of NBA.

Publications on Biodiversity Conservation:

Ghosh, A. K., 2008. A Comprehensive Handbook on Biodiversity, TERI Press, New Delhi, pp. 1 –130.

Ghosh, A. K., 2008. Faunal Resources of India (pp. 16–24). In Biodiversity: Issues and Concern,West Bengal Biodiversity Board.

Ghosh, A. K., 2008. Environmental Conservation: Challenges and Actions. APH, New Delhi, 250pp. (includes chapters on ‘Biodiversity and Climate Change’, pp. 61–69; ‘Future BiodiversityScenarios in India and South East Asia’, pp. 70–83; ‘Sacred Groves’, pp. 84–91; ‘Invasive Species’,pp. 91–111.

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2. Prof. Raghavendra Gadagkar, Member, National Biodiversity Authority

Invited Technical Seminars and Lectures

(1) Invited lectures entitled “Testing Hamilton’s Rule using the primitively eusocial waspRopalidia marginata” and “The Functional Organization of a Tropical Insect Society”delivered at the Department of Entomology, The Ohio State University, USA, 23 April2008.

(2) Plenary Lecture entitled “The Functional Organization of a Tropical Insect Society” deliveredat the 23rd International Congress of Entomology 2008, Durban, South Africa, 10 July 2008.

(3) Centenary Lecture entitled “What Can We Learn from Insect Societies?” delivered at theUniversity of Pretoria, South Africa, 15 July 2008.

(4) Invited lecture entitled “Testing Hamilton’s Rule using the Primitively Eusocial WaspRopalidia marginata” delivered at the Department of Genetics, University of Pretoria, SouthAfrica, 14 July 2008.

(5) Invited lecture entitled “Possible novel functions of aggression in the primitively eusocialwasp Ropalidia marginata” delivered at the Department of Zoology and Entomology,University of Pretoria, South Africa, 16 July 2008.

(6) Plenary Lecture entitled “The Functional Organization of a Tropical Insect Society” deliveredat the 63rd Conference of the Korean Association of Biological Sciences, Mokpo University,Korea, 20–22 August 2008.

(7) Invited lecture entitled “The Evolution of a Tropical Insect Society” delivered at SeoulNational University, Korea, 22 August 2008.

(8) Invited lecture entitled “War and Peace: Conflict and Coopeartion in a Tropical InsectSociety” delivered at the World Knowledge Dialogue Foundation Symposium, Crans-Montana, Switzerland, 11 September 2008.

(9) Public Lecture entitled “Interrogating an Insect Society” delivered at Wissenschaftkollegzu Berlin, Germany, 23 November 2008.

(10) Darwin Bicentenary Lecture entitled “Is the peacock merely beautiful or also honest?”delivered at the Kerala Shastra Sahitya Parishad, Calicut, Kerala, 13 February 2009.

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Annex-2 Organizational Chart of NBA

Orga

nisati

onal

Chart

of N

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ty

Chairperson

Secretary

Technical

Administration

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Annex-3 Staff Strength of NBA

Position Sanctioned Filled Vacant Remarks

Chairperson 1 1 -

Secretary

1

1

-

PS to Chairperson

1

–

1

PS to Secretary 1 – 1

AdministrativeOfficer

1 1 –

Accounts Officer 1 1 –

Technical Officer - IPR-1 Benefit sharing-1

2 1

1

Post re-advertised third time after resignation of the incumbent.

Advisor (Law) 1 1 –

Office/Computer Assistants

2 2

–

Technical Assistants 2 2 –

Stenographer “C” 1 1 –

Stenographer “D”

1 – 1 Due to non-receipt of candidate on deputation, this post is being advertised.

Peon 1 (1-post

surrendered as per MoEF

Lr. No. 20011/6/07-

GC dt 13.4.07)

1 – Two persons engaged through outsourcing.

Total 16 12 4

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The list of the officers and staff of NBA

No. Person Designation

1. Dr. P. L. Gautam Chairman

2. Mr. C. Achalender Reddy Secretary

3. Dr. K. Venkataraman Senior Consultant on loan basis from ZSI

4. Ms. S. Padmavathi Administrative Officer

5. Ms. Lakshmi Sankararaman Accounts Officer

6. Mr. K. Chitrarasu Advisor(Law)

7. Dr. K. P.Raghuram Technical Officer (Benefit Sharing)

8. Mr. P. Anandhakumar Technical Assistant (Botany)

9. Mr. P.Jaishankar Technical Assistant (Zoology)

10. Mr. D.Chezhian Office/Computer Assistant

11. Ms. S. Kanchana Office/Computer Assistant

12. Ms. G. S. Sheeba Stenographer Grade C

13. Mr. Surendra Ram Group D

Chairperson and Secretary of State Biodiversity Boards

No State Chairperson Secretary

1 Andhra Pradesh Dr. Hampaiah Ralladoddi Dr. V.Bhaskara Ramana Murthy

2 Arunachal Pradesh Mr. Tabom Bam Mr. G.N. Sinha

3 Chhattisgarh Mr. Vikram Usaindi Mr. N.K.Bhagat

4 Goa Mr. Alexio Sequeira Dr. Joseph S.R. de Souza

5 Gujarat Mr. D.Rajagopalan Mr. N.S.Yadav

6 Haryana Hon’ble Minister for Forests Mr. Vijai Vardhan

7 Himachal Pradesh Ms. Asha Swarup Dr.Nagin Nanda

8 Jharkhand PCCF (Biodiversity) Mr. S.K. Sharma

9 Karnataka The Principal Secretary, Dept. of Forest, Ecology & Environment

Mr. Ramesh C. Prajapathi

10 Kerala Dr. V. S. Vijayan

11 Madhya Pradesh Mr. Rakesh Sahani Mr. A.K. Jain

12 Manipur Mr. Rakesh Mr. Balaprasad

13 Mizoram Mr. H. Rohluna Mr. L.R. Thanga

14 Nagaland Honorable Minister for Forests Mr. Albert Solo

15 Punjab Mr. Prakash Singh Badal Dr. Neelima Jerath

16 Sikkim Dr. Pawan Chamling Mr. N.T. Bhutia

17 Tamil Nadu Mr. N. Selvaraj Mr. R.Gunasekaran

18 Tripura Secretary/ Commissioner, Department of Forests

Dr. A.K.Gupta

19 Uttarakhand Honorable Minister for Forests Mr.A.R. Sinha

20 Uttar Pradesh Shri. Parameswaran Iyer Mr.Pawan Kumar

21 West Bengal Prof. Arun Kumar Sharma Mr.Debal Ray

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Annex-4 Important Publications of NBA

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Annex-5 Support extended for trainings/seminars/workshops etc.

No Institution

1. Loyola College, Chennai

2. MSSRF, Taramani, Chennai

3. Andhra Pradesh Biodiversity Board

4. Botanical Survey of India, Southern Circle

5. Karnataka Biodiversity Board

6. Andhra Pradesh Biodiversity Board

7. West Bengal Biodiversity Board

8. Punjab State Council for Science & Technology

9. Karnataka Biodiversity Board,

10. Madhya Pradesh Biodiversity Board

11. Central Sericultural Germplasm ResourcesCentre, Central Silk Board, Hosur, Tamil Nadu.


13 Trust for Environment, Conservation &Community Development (TREE), Chennai

14. National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources,Karnal

15 Bharathiar University, Coimbatore

16. Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences(TASS), New Delhi


18 Bombay Natural History Society, Mumbai

19 Kalpavriksh Environment Action Group, Pune

Theme

"Biodiversity and Agro biodiversity Conservation Mela"from 19 to 22 May 2008

Capacity Building legislation pertaining to Biodiversityand Farmers Rights-one year duration 2008-2009

National Workshop on Bio-piracy and IntellectualProperty Rights, Capacity Building initiative forBiodiversity held on 23 August 2008

"Consultation Meeting with invited experts to finalisestate-wise of threatened plant species for implementationof Section 38 of BD Act, 2002 held on 11 and 12 September2008

Inventorying industries involved in exploitation ofBiodiversity in Karnataka 2008.

Inventorising industries involved in exploitation ofBiodiversity in Andhra Pradesh 2008.

Inventorising industries involved in exploitation ofBiodiversity in West Bengal-six months duration 2008.

Inventorising industries involved in exploitation ofBiodiversity in Punjab 2008-2009.

Organising workshop on Biodiversity related totraditional knowledge in Karnataka on 2 March 2009

Documenting of Bio-resources based industries inMadhya Pradesh and the quantum of bio-resources beingtilizat in Madhya Pradesh-six-months duration 2008.

National workshop on "Seri- Biodiversity Conservation"on 7 and 8 March 2009

"Recent Trends in Sensor-Development for the Assessmentand Management of the Environment" held from 8 to 10January 2009

"Summit for Students to Empower Them To Take Actionto Create Individual Plans for Protecting The Biodiversity"held on 20 and 21 January 2009.

National Symposium on "Livestock BiodiversityConservation and Utilisation: Lessons from past andfuture perspectives" held on 12 and 13 February, 2009

"International Congress of Global Warming on"Biodiversity of Insects: Management and Conservation"held from 9 to 12 February 2009

"Brainstorming workshop to discuss important issuespertaining to conservation of Farm Animal Geneticresources in India" held on 10 April 2009

"Modern Approaches to Research Methodology,Electronic Research Tools, E-Content andBiotechnological Tools for Biodiversity Conservation",Held from 10 to 13 March 2009

"Conservation and Management of Point Calimer, RamsarSite: Past Present and Future" held on 22 February 2009.

Publication of directory of community conserved areasin India

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Annex-6 NBA Citizen’s Charter

1. Vision

Conservation and sustainable use of India’s richbiodiversity and associated knowledge with peoplesparticipation, ensuring the process of benefit sharingfor well being of present and future generations.

2. Mission

Ensure effective implementation of BiologicalDiversity Act, 2002 and the Biological Diversity Rules2004 for conservation of biodiversity, sustainable useof its components and fair and equitable sharing ofbenefits arising out of utilization of genetic resources.

3. Mandate

Reaffirm the sovereign rights over the bioresourcesof India and contribute towards prevention ofmisappropriation of bioresources and/orassociated knowledge.

Provide policy and support relating toconservation, sustainable use of its componentsand equitable sharing of benefits arising out ofutilization of biological resources.

Regulate activities by formulation of guidelines,extension materials for access to biological resourcesand for reaching the stakeholders and ensuring fairand equitable benefit sharing in accordance withthe provisions of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.

Take measures to oppose the grant of the intellectualproperty rights to persons in other countries on anybiological resource of India or knowledge associatedwith such biological resources of Indian origin.

Advise the State Governments concerning theirarea specific biodiversity, and in notifying heritagesites and also suggest measures for theirmanagement and sustainable use.

Provide guidance and technical and financial supportto Biodiversity Management Committees (BMC) forpreparing People’s Biodiversity Registers (PBR) inthe areas falling under their respective jurisdiction.

Perform such other functions as may be necessary toimplement the provisions of Biological Diversity Act,2002

4. Stakeholders

Biodiversity is a multidisciplinary subjectinvolving diverse activities, initiatives and

stakeholders. The stake holders in biologicaldiversity include the Central Government, StateGovernments, Union Territories, Institutions ofPanchayat Raj and Civil Society Organisations,industries, NGOs, Research and DevelopmentInstitutions, Universities and public at large.

5. Services Offered

Promotion of Conservation and sustainable use ofbiodiversity.

Co-ordination of the activities of the StateBiodiversity Boards and BiodiversityManagement Committees, sponsor studies andadaptive/operational investigation and researchby providing technical guidance, andCommissioning of studies as found necessary.

Advise Government of India on matters relatingto conservation of biodiversity, sustainable useof its components and equitable sharing ofbenefits of biological resources.

Grant approval for - access to biological resourcesoccurring in India or associated knowledge,transferring the results of research, seekingintellectual property right, third party transfer ofaccessed bioresource for research or for commercialutilisation or for bio-survey and bio-utilisation.

Facilitate access to bioresources by all stakeholdersand ensuring equitable benefit sharing between usersand conservers of biodiversity in a transparent manner.

6. Grievances Redressal Mechanism

Secretary, National Biodiversity Authority is thedesignated Officer for Re-dressal of PublicGrievances and can be addressed to:

The Secretary,National Biodiversity Authority,TICEL Bio Park5th Floor, Taramani Road,Taramani, Chennai - 600 113.Phone : 044-2254 1071; Fax : 044-2254 1074email: [email protected]

7. Expectations from the citizens and stakeholders

To abide by the provisions of Biological DiversityAct, 2002 and rules made there under and imbibeand promote the spirit of conservation of naturalresources and respect for the laws of nature andextend cooperation for carrying out the aboveactivities by NBA and SBBs in the overall interestof human kind.

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Annex-7 Audit Report

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List of Abbreviations Used

ADMA - Ayurvedic Drug Manufacturers AssociationBD Act - Biological Diversity ActBMC - Biodiversity Management CommitteesBSI - Botanical Survey of IndiaBSNL - Bharat Sanchar Nigam LimitedCBD - Convention on Biological DiversityCSIR - Council for Scientific and Industrial ResearchDFO - District Forest OfficerDGFT - Director General of Foreign TradeDNR - Designated National RepositoryEC - Expert CommitteeFRLHT - Foundation for Rehabilitation of Local Health TraditionGBIF - Global Biodiversity Information Facility FoundationGEER - Gujarat Ecological Education and Research FoundationIARI - Indian Agricultural Research InstituteIBIS - Indian Biodiversity Information SystemIBID - International Day for Biological DiversityICAR - Indian Council of Agricultural ResearchIMTECH - Institute of Microbial TechnologyIPR - Intellectual Property RightISRO - Indian Space Research OrganisationITC(HS) - Indian Trade Classification (harmonised system)KFD - Karnataka Forest DepartmentKSBB - Kerala State Biodiversity BoardLMMC - Like Minded Mega Diverse CountriesMPSBB - Madhya Pradesh State Biodiversity BoardMoEF - Ministry of Environment and ForestsMoU - Memorandum of UnderstandingNBA - National Biodiversity AuthorityNBAGR - National Bureau of Animal Genetic ResourcesNBPGR - National Bureau of Plant Genetic ResourcesNGC - National Green CorpsNTC - Normally Traded CommoditiesPAU - Punjab Agricultural UniversityPBR - People’s Biodiversity RegisterPPV&FRA - The Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights AuthorityRET plants - Rare, Endangered and Threatened PlantsSBB - State Biodiversity BoardSACON - Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural HistorySACRTF - South Asia Coral Reef Task ForceSACEF - South Asia Co-operative Environment ProgrammeUT - Union TerritoryUNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural OrganisationUNEP - United Nations Environment ProgrammeWBBB - West Bengal Biodiversity Board

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